First Alaskans Institute logo

Supporting Our Work

Sponsorship Opportunities for the Elders & Youth Conference and Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala!
female showing a younger female how to put something together
Alaskan Native family on stage
three Native Alaskan males speaking at an event
First Alaskans Institute (FAI) is a statewide Alaska Native nonprofit focused on advancing Alaska Native ways of life, ensuring Alaska Native peoples are involved in decision-making at all levels and cultivating our leadership responsibility from birth to Ancestor. We serve as a catalyst, convener and collaborator on issues impacting all Alaska Natives through hosting gatherings on a diverse range of topics across our state. As a small organization with a dynamic scope of work, our values-driven commitment to serving our community is inherent in all we do, including walking our talk by continually Indigenizing the operations of our work.
Our Vision: Progress for the next 10,000 Years…

Our Mission: True to identity, heritage, and values, Alaska Natives are informed and engaged in leading the decisions that shape the future.

Our work follows the guiding principles set forth in our five strategic priorities:

  • Advancing Self Determination
  • Advancing Our Ways of Life
  • Knowing, Living, Loving Who We Are
  • Shaping the Knowledge That Informs Alaskans
  • Being Good Relatives

INITIATIVES

Alaska Native Policy Center – With a solution-focused approach, we connect and provide Alaska Native leaders and other policy makers with systemic and institutional insights, a deeper understanding of our Native community and Indigenous innovations, and access to information and networks necessary to help support healthy, thriving communities.

Indigenous Leadership Continuum – As leaders with responsibility to our community throughout our lives, we provide opportunities that embolden Alaska Native leaders, from birth to Ancestor, with strong grounding in worldviews evolved over 10,000 years of relationship with our homelands across the state.

Community Engagement – We support the expression, exertion, evolution and exercise of Native voices and advocacy by engaging directly with our community throughout our work and by publishing the First Alaskans Magazine. We share Native perspectives on current issues, highlight community innovations, cultural knowledges, and opportunities unique to our communities.

Indigenous Operations – FAI is fully guided by Alaska Native knowledges, the mobilization of our values, sharing with others and connecting who we are as Native peoples and our lands throughout our work.

stage performance at a First Alaskans Institute event

Statewide Elders & Youth Conference

October 15-18, 2023
2023 Conference Theme and Language: Woosht Gug̱anéix̱ (Lingit) – Let it be that we heal each other
First Alaskans Institute's 38th Annual Statewide Elders & Youth Conference event program
Please join us October 2023 as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Elders & Youth Conference. Our annual First Alaskans Institute Statewide Elders & Youth Conference (Elders & Youth) gathers upwards to 2,000 Alaska Native Elders and youth to experience the transference of cultural knowledge and strengthening of our collective advocacy. Held annually in October in Anchorage or Fairbanks, our conference is livestreamed and broadcasted on television, reaching all Alaskans and our friends and relatives throughout the world. This year the conference is being held at the Dena’ina Convention Center in Anchorage.

Attendees are inspired by speakers, engaging cultural workshops, meaningful dialogues, and cultural performances that draw us into the drumbeats of our Ancestors. Connecting our Elders and youth is imperative to knowing and loving who we are and where we come from and remembering how to work in good relationship together. Elders, youth, culture bearers, and community leaders experience the strength of our Ancestral knowledge and imperatives and learn ways to use this knowledge to improve our lives today. Sponsorships allow us to put on the event and create meaningful experiences for attendees and also give partners who value our participants to have a critical role in supporting this unique statewide convening.

This conference fosters unity amongst the Alaska Native community and others who support this vibrant work, and connects living treasures through all generations. We promote positive change and cultural action within our community by strengthening and solidifying our shared responsibility to others by celebrating who we are.

Teen Dance Sponsor
$7,500
  • Verbal recognition with all dance announcements at the conference
  • Logo displayed on banner (provided by the sponsor) at the DJ booth
  • Opportunity to provide swag for conference participants (to be approved by FAI)
  • Organization name in online program and website
Refreshments Sponsor
$7,500
  • Prominent signage with logo at the refreshments table
  • Sponsor can provide cups and plates with logo (to be approved by FAI)
  • Recognition on the main stage as refreshments become available
  • Organization name in online program and website
40th Anniversary special: For an additional $1,000, send us up to 6 photographs of Elders & youth from your region and their faces along with sponsorship recognition will be included in a special commemorative video highlighting 40 years of our vibrant Elders & youth community.
Ancestor
$25,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • Full page ad in the conference program
  • One table of 10 to the Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala Event*
  • Sponsored Edition of the First Alaskans Magazine ad in a 2024 issue*
  • All Elder Level Benefits
Elder
$15,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • Half page ad in the conference program
  • Sponsor of Chin’an: A Night of Cultural Celebration
  • Two tickets to Smokehouse Gala event
  • Full page enhanced ad in the First Alaskans Magazine ad in a 2024 issue*
  • Logo on conference banner and conference bag**
  • Two Community Hall exhibitor tables
  • All Leader Level Benefits
Leader
$10,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • One Community Hall exhibitor table
  • Full page static ad in the First Alaskans Magazine ad in a 2024 issue*
  • All Mentor Level Benefits
Mentor
$5,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • Organization logo posted on website, social media, and program
  • Half page ad in the First Alaskans Magazine ad in a 2024 issue
  • Logo displayed on conference banner
  • All Teacher Level Benefits
Teacher
$2,500
Benefits at this level include:
  • Organization name listed on website
  • Logo in the conference program and website
  • Verbal recognition on stage
  • All Youth Level Benefits
Youth
Up to $2,499
Benefits at this level include:
  • Organization or individual name on website
*Ads in the FAM replace each other as you go up in levels (i.e., Elder Level will get only one Full page static ad in a 2024 First Alaskans Magazine issue)

Some benefits include booth space in the Community Hall, acknowledgement and/or ad in the program (hard copy or app), and banner placement (page 2).

tablet icon with the First Alaskans Institute's 38th Annual Statewide Elders & Youth Conference event program on the screen
two women posing for a photo in front of a booth at a convention
Purchase Tickets & Sponsorships
The Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala to benefit First Alaskans Institute logo

November 18, 2023, Anchorage

Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala event program
First Alaskans Spring 2022 cover
Our Howard Rock and Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala is our signature formal Indigenous event celebrating our Indigeneity in beautiful and innovative ways while uplifting Alaska Native peoples and friends who work to advance our ways of life. The Gala pays tribute to the incredible contributions of the late Howard Rock (Iñupiaq) and late Senator Ted Stevens, who served the Native community with profound purpose.

The Smokehouse Gala raises critical funds for First Alaskans Institute that help advance our Alaska Native ways of life, ensure Alaska Native peoples are involved in decision-making at all levels, and cultivates our leadership responsibility from birth to Ancestor.

We invite you to join us in celebrating our beautiful peoples, vibrant lands and rich cultures, contribute to the strengthening of Native leaders and support healthy, thriving, and connected communities throughout our state. At this beautiful event, we welcome attendees to wear their regalia, Native jewelry and accessories, or black-tie formal wear. It is an incredible and vibrant place to celebrate our Native community during Alaska Native Heritage month. At FAI, we firmly believe that what’s best for Alaska Natives is best for all Alaskans and your support helps us achieve this.

Grandparents
$25,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • 15 invitations to the VIP reception
  • Five minutes onstage during the live program
  • Brand sponsored edition of the First Alaskans Magazine ad in a 2024 issue*
  • All Aunties & Uncles Level Benefits
Aunties & Uncles
$15,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • Three tables of 10 with premium seating*
  • 12 invitiations to the VIP reception*
  • Full page enhanced ad space in the First Alaskans Magazine ad in a 2024 issue*
  • All Parents Level Benefits
Parents
$10,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • Two tables of 10 with premium seating*
  • Ten invitations to the VIP reception*
  • Premium signage throughout event
  • All Sisters & Brothers Level Benefits
Sisters & Brothers
$5,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • One table of 10 with premium seating
  • Five exclusive invitations to the VIP reception*
  • Printed recognition on banner near stage
  • All Cousins Level Benefits
Cousins
$2,500
Benefits at this level include:
  • One table of 10
  • Printed recognition on banner near stage
  • Logo in the event program, website and Facebook page
*The benefit listed in the level replaces lower-level benefits (i.e., Honoring our Mother Level will get two tables of ten, and the Cousin and Sister levels get one table of ten)
**Some benefits are time specific and have deadlines to allow for ordering and printing
Purchase Tickets & Sponsorships
Indigenous Dinner Sponsor
$25,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • Exclusive branded menu card at each table
  • Opportunity to provide an Indigenous name for the dinner (in collaboration with FAI)
  • All Grandparents Level Benefits
VIP Reception Sponsor
$20,000
Benefits at this level include:
  • Recognition as VIP Reception Sponsor in the event program, website and Facebook page, and premium signage at the VIP reception
  • 10 exclusive invitations with premium seating to the VIP reception
  • All Aunties & Uncles Level Benefits
Silent Auction Sponsor
$17,500
Benefits at this level include:
  • Opportunity to provide pens & bags to wrap silent auction items in
  • Exclusive recognition on virtual auction site
  • All Aunties & Uncles Level Benefits
Photography Sponsor
$12,500
Benefits at this level include:
  • Exclusive signage, photo background or frame (provided by sponsor and must be pre-approved
  • All Parents Level Benefits
Entertainment Sponsor
$7,500
Benefits at this level include:
  • Exclusive display of a 2’x3’ banner* (provided by sponsor) on sound booth
  • All Sisters & Brothers Level Benefits
Interested in sponsoring both events, contact Silugngataanit’sqaq Melissa Marton at (907) 677-1709 or silugngataanitsqaq@firstalaskans.org to create a sponsorship level unique to your organization while staying within your budget.
In-Kind Donation
Silent Auction Donor – Contest prizes or auction items valued over $150
  • Booth space in Community Hall at the 2024 Elders & Youth Conference
  • Marketplace ad in a First Alaskans Magazine issue
  • Recognition as a Silent Auction Donor at event and slideshow
Live Auction Donor – Auction item valued at $1,000+
  • Booth Space in Community Hall platform at the 2024 Elders & Youth Conference
  • Stage presence with auctioneer recognizing company name and value
  • Additional advertisement and exposure before event
  • Marketplace ad in a First Alaskans Magazine issue
  • Recognition in the event program