Iñupiat Heritage Center
On the rooftop of the world, the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska, tells the story of the Iñupiat people. They have thrived for thousands of years in one of the harshest climates on Earth, hunting the bowhead, or "Agviq." In the 19th century, these lonely seas swarmed with commercial whalemen from New England, who also sought the bowhead for its valuable baleen and blubber.
The Inupiat Heritage Center is located in Barrow, Alaska, the largest city in the North Slope Borough and the northernmost city in the United States. Barrow can be reached via commercial and charter flights from Anchorage and Fairbanks.
- Arts and Culture
- Hunting and Gathering
- Native American Heritage
Clothing of the Inupiaq
Traditional clothing of the Inupiaq on exhibit at the Center
Waiting for whales
A whaling crew (Hopson 1) waits patiently at the open lead for a bowhead whale, May 2002.
Inupiat Heritage Center
The Inupiat Heritage Center promotes Inupiaq culture, history and language through exhibits, classes, performances and activities.
Inupiaq whalers
Masks
A collection of masks from the Inupiat Heritage Center