Upper Copper Valley, Alaska: A Proud Native American Heritage

here's a proud Native American heritage in the Copper River Valley, the traditional home of the Ahtna people. The language spoken by the Athabascans who settled in the Copper River Valley is closely related to some Indian languages spoken in the Southwestern United States. The Athabascans in the Copper River Valley were adept at fashioning copper implements, which they traded with coastal Natives. They lived a semi-nomadic life, based on the cycles of fish and game in the region. Also well known as skilled traders, due to their location on major trade routes, Copper Valley Natives were important carriers of goods across Alaskan cultures. The Athabascan people here now create intricate bead and leather work. Around 18% of the Copper River Valley's population is Athabascan at this time. The Athabascan language is still spoken by local elders. Young children from the region are taught Native dances, and respect for traditional Native culture is strongly rooted here. This is Fred Ewan, of Gulkana Village.