Alaska is full of wild, unexplored places—and we all have that one friend who can’t wait to experience them. There are many options for a big Alaska vacation, but we have the list of Alaska Native-owned companies who can show you the real deal. 

Alaska Exquisite Travel is a family-owned business offering day-tours, transfers, and custom tours out of the Anchorage area. Alaska Exquisite is committed to customer service that often surpasses all expectations. They want to ensure that every single visitor has the chance to see the very best of Alaska and instill the same sense of wonder and adventure they themselves feel for the lands they love and know so well.

King Salmon Boat Rentals was established in 2023 after noticing a need for the DIY fisherman who wanted to come fish the mighty Naknek River in Bristol Bay for trophy-sized trout and salmon without breaking the bank. Owned and ran by full time King Salmon residents and Alaska Natives Justin and Ashley are here to help you navigate your trip to King Salmon. 

If you’re shopping for a woman who loves to hunt, look no further. Ivy O’Guinn is a born and raised Alaskan Native, lifelong commercial fisherman, a sports fishing and hunting guide, trapper, taxidermist, and artist. Her Women’s Alaska Trapping Retreats are a lifetime opportunity to experience an Alaskan trapline designed specifically for women.

There’s always a memorable Alaska experience waiting in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses. 

There’s always a special gift in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory that brings the cultures of Dena’ina, Sugpiaq/Alutiiq, and Yup’ik home. From art to stories, this season is a great time to celebrate the rich cultures of Bristol Bay. 

Apay’uq Moore is a celebrated artist from Bristol Bay, known for her original pieces that celebrate and honor the Yup’ik people and the beauty of Bristol Bay. Both original art pieces and reproductions are available to purchase on her website.

Herrick Woodworking creates handmade wooden goods including jewelry, keepsake boxes, and combs. Their berry bucket earrings celebrate the subsistence lifestyle, and rich tradition of berry picking in Bristol Bay. 

The Lake Monster of Illiamna is an old story that still lives in Bristol Bay. A t-shirt created by Beth Hill, a shareholder spouse, depicts the lake monster in her unique style. Beth’s dramatic artwork, which celebrates the textures and traditions of Bristol Bay, are also available for purchase. 

There’s always a unique gift to celebrate the cultures of Bristol Bay in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses. 

“Can you turn the heat up?” If this sounds familiar, then these gifts might be perfect for your always-cold friend. These snuggly gifts aren’t only made by Alaska Native’s, they’re created for the actual cold. Like, Alaska cold. 

These fur hats created by Amy L Rogde of Dena’ina Designs are just some of her amazing creations, guaranteed to keep you snuggly in any state. 

Another Alaska Native-owned business is Fritze’s Furs. Annie Fritze creates unique and intricately hand sewn trapper style fur hats, headbands, earmuffs, trimmed gloves, teddy bears, mittens of various sizes, and other miscellaneous fur products. The majority of the fur is beaver, fox, land otter, wolves, mink, muskrats, and marten that were primarily harvested from the Bristol Bay region.

Kerrie Ingram-Bowen, owner of Aspiaq Designs, creates unique hand-beaded items such as slippers, mittens, and gloves trimmed with fur, mini mukluks, and handmade ruffs for parkas.

Or if you just need an extra layer, you could always order a blanket with an original salmonberry design from an Alaska Native artist Sarah Schroeder. Sarah creates custom products in Dillingham, Alaska including blankets, pillows, stickers, original pieces, and more. 

There’s always a snuggly gift for the those always-cold friends in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses. 

We all have that friend who has everything they need, and needs nothing more. We’ve got some great suggestions for unique finds from Alaska Native artists that bring that something special this year. 

Alaskan Native artists Peter and Darlene Lind are husband and wife artists. Their knowledge and connection to their culture has become the centerpiece of their artwork. A particularly stunning piece by Darlene is “In Regalia” in bronze with a black marble base. This limited edition sculpture is approximately 11″x9″. 

If you’re looking for something different but stunning, check out Summit Glass Studio owned by Shanda Ring-Zhuk.  As an Alaskan Native-owned company, they provide clothing, accessories, and unique creations like this ulu sculpture. 

David John Angaiak is a visual artist whose work expresses his Yup’ik Eskimo and Unangan Aleut heritage. He often depicts nature from personal experiences centered around bird and sea life encountered along the coasts of Bristol Bay, Alaska. His work has been collected locally and overseas, a special piece from David, such as “Lovers Sculpture” would be a piece to talk about for years to come. 

There’s always a unique gift for those hard-to-shop-for friends in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses.

What better way to bring in the holidays than introducing kids to the wonders of Bristol Bay? There’s always a special gift in the ShareholderOwned Business Directory that bring the cultures of Dena’ina, Sugpiaq/Alutiiq, and Yup’ik home. 

What better than a kids qaspeq made by an Alaska Native who handcrafts each piece to your specifications? Jessica Anderson creates handmade, earrings, headbands, crochet items and more.

Introducing kids to Dena’ina stories is easy with How Raven Got His Crooked Nose, a modern retelling of a traditional Dena’ina fable. Part picture book and part graphic novel, this beautifully illustrated story teaches an important lesson to children through Dena’ina mythology and includes a glossary of Dena’ina words to learn. Created by Barbara and Ethan Jacko Atwater, this is just one of many great books to share with the littles in your life. 

You can never go wrong with a snuggly, one-of-a-kind teddy bear – made by Alaska Natives from real fur. Amy L Rogde creates these one-of-a-kind pieces with her company Dena’ina Designs.

There’s always a unique gift for kids in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses. 

What’s small, special, and uniquely crafted by Alaska Natives to fit perfectly in a stocking this holiday season? 

Krista Lucas at Alaska State of Mine creates one-of-a-kind items, such as stickers and earrings, that celebrate Alaska and are sure to brighten any stocking.

At Denali Dreamscape, Brooke Escobar creates colorful beaded creations, ranging from brooches to pendants in Wasilla, Alaska.

The Winter Watchman’s Daughter: Memoirs of Life on the Nushagak  is an engaging book written by Mary L. Dinon. Mary shares the story of her grandmother, Ella Nielsen, who grew up along the Nushagak river as the daughter of a cannery winter watchman and also as a wife of the cannery watchman at three Nushagak historic salmon canneries. 

Northern Shimmer Gift Shop, owned by Alaska Native Ginger Williams, creates handmade jewelry and accessories using porcupine quills, beads, fur, and other materials. This holiday season, a wonderful stocking stuffer could be one of their incredibly unique necklaces from the “shades of blue” collection.

There’s always a unique stocking stuffer in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses. 

You know the one. That friend that gets up early by choice to catch the first catch. Or, catch nothing at all. Either way, they’re happier with a rod in their hand. They have everything they need to actually fish, so here’s some great gifts from Alaska Natives – who know a thing or two about fishing. 

Some swag, like a sticker, with a design by Alaska Native artist Sarah Schoeder with the fishing motto “eat, sleep, fish, repeat” would do the trick. 

You could also get them a sweatshirt straight from the Bering Sea designed by a local fisherwoman Maxine Christensen from Bering Sea Vibes. 

Or, you can get them a great cap to keep them covered for those hours in the sun waiting for a bite. Apay’uq Moore is an Alaska Native artist who creates incredible pieces, as well as wearables like this hat celebrating the sockeye salmon that Bristol Bay is famous for.

There’s always a unique gift for the fishing obsessed in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses.

You know the friend, the one who loves to talk about Alaska but still hasn’t gotten there. Bring them just a little closer with some unique gifts created by Alaska Natives. 

Maybe a handcrafted map of Bristol Bay from Alaska Native artist Sarah Schroeder could bring them just a little closer? Or, a high quality photo print from local photographer Karla Renee Jensen? There’s so many custom gifts on the BBNC Shareholder-Owned Business Directory it’s hard to go wrong. 

Another option is a book from a local Alaska Native author who tells stories of life in Bristol Bay. The author Misty Nelson has photography for purchase as well. 

From artists to authors, there’s always a unique gift for that friend who wants to see Alaska but hasn’t made it yet on the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory.

For those who crave the exquisite flavors of Alaskan salmon, this season there’s always the option to celebrate not only the best of Bristol Bay but also Alaska Native cultures and sustainable practices.

All the Salmon

Freedom Fisheries, J&R Fisheries, Sunlight Seafoods, and Tulch’ina Fisheries, are Alaska Native-owned businesses that catch, prep, and send you the best of Bristol Bay.

Fresh frozen salmon serves as an ideal gift for anyone who craves great flavor, and knows the difference. No matter how you cook it—grilled, baked, or sautéd—Bristol Bay’s wild salmon never disappoints.

Wearables

Nothing is better than supporting the fishing industry and the artists of Bristol Bay. A great gift for those who spend a little too much time thinking about salmon could be a sweet, artsy fish hat made by an Alaska Native artist.  

There’s always a unique gift for the one who craves salmon in the Shareholder-Owned Business Directory, where you can find something special exclusively from Alaska Native-owned businesses.