The First Alaskans Institute is a non-profit foundation dedicated to developing the capacities of Alaska Natives and their communities to meet the educational, economic and social challenges of the future.
With a Board of Trustees composed of current and former presidents and chairs of the Alaska Federation of Natives, the Institute is committed to promoting healthy Native communities through public policy analysis/research and leadership development.
[1] The current President/CEO is La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow.
The Policy Center has researched and published several reports, such as Alaska Native Perspectives, a survey of Native perceptions of public issues, Alaska Native K-12 Education Indicators Reports, a statistical review of Native educational performance; and Our Choices ~ Our Future, a compilation of data on Native population, health, economics and education.
First Alaskans also focuses on empowering the next generation of Native leaders through various leadership development programs - such as an annual "Elders and Youth Conference during AFN Convention week"; an annual summer internship program that provides challenging job experiences, leadership discussions and networking opportunities; and a fellowship program that nurtures emerging policy makers and uses the instruments of democracy to create social change.