In the year 1912, 12 men and one woman formed the Alaska Native Brotherhood in Sitka.
Many people attribute the continued survival of the ANB and ANS to the fact that the Tlingit members themselves made the decisions as opposed to outsiders.
The purpose of this organization shall be to assist and encourage the Native in his advancement among the cultivated races of the world.
What all this means: the ANB and ANS belong to the Tlingits, not non-Natives. It was created to preserve history, culture, lore, art and virtues – our way of life as we see it and live, day by day.
Our way of life has changed, yes, but not our culture and customs. We must take back what belongs to us. We worked hard for all this. Let’s not lose our ways. Never forget who you are.
Phillip Jackson