Windows to the Land, An Alaska Native Story Vol. I Alaska Native Land Claims Trailblazers

Windows to the Land, Volume I is the Great Land’s history told through the first people of Alaska, from the Aleutians, through Southeast, around the coast, across the vast Interior to Prince William Sound. Windows, Vol. I is the untold story of the Alaska Native land claims forerunners whose fire in the belly birthed Native land claims. In their own words, they share the events that became the divide between traditional and modern Alaska. As windows of the land, Unangan/Aleut, Alutiiq, Sugpiaq, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Haida, Yup’ik, Cupiaq, Iñupiaq, Tanacross, Upper Tanana, Ahtna, Eyak, Dena'ina, Deg Hi'tan, and Holikachuk they are the personal face of their cultures, of the Great Land, and of Alaska’s evolving story from the Russian colonial period to present, tracking on indigenous land title as well as the breadth of Alaska’s history. Windows includes index, timelines and maps on every chapter, photos on every page, extending through the issue of sovereignty of today.
Endorsements:
Windows to the Land is an untold story of the reorganization of Tanana Chiefs Conference [TCC] and its offspring, the statewide Alaska Native land claims movement. Judy Ferguson has interviewed the trailbreakers, publishing them in their own voice, a story of the land and of its first people.
Al Ketzler Sr., First president of TCC, 1962-1964, 1969-1971, 1978. Acting Executive Director of AFN, 1971. CEO of TCC, 1991-2002.
Windows to the Land is the story of the Great Land as told first-hand by those who first experienced its milestones, the first people of Alaska. Through the eyes of our indigenous cultures, the reader is immersed into Alaska’s evolving story. Judy Ferguson has recorded unsung voices, statewide, of a land the size of many sovereign countries.
Emil Notti, First president of Alaska Federation of Natives
Windows to the Land is a treasure trove of historical documents, interviews, and commentary capturing many of the key events and notable personages who have shaped the cultural and political landscape of Alaska over the course of the past century. Judy Ferguson has drawn on her extensive travels throughout Alaska to compile the observations and contributions of key players in the on-going saga of Native and non-Native struggles to create a shared environment for cultural co-habitation. From the gold rush and territorial days to statehood and land claims, Judy provides a region-by-region account of the historical events and personal stories that have defined the heart and soul of contemporary Alaska. Both casual and seasoned readers of Windows to the Land will find much of interest in the personal accounts and the stories-behind-the-stories that define the sense of place and nurture the roots of Alaska. Through her personal commentary, Judy acquaints us with intriguing background and details about the people who lived through the key events that shaped the Alaska we know today. Of particular value for this book will be its use as a supplementary text to provide “windows to the land” in high school and college Alaska history classes. For the everyday Alaskan, the joy will come from learning about how ordinary people can do extraordinary things on behalf of all of us. This is a book for everyone’s library.
Dr. Ray Barnhardt, Director of the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies and Alaska Native Knowledge Network
Windows to the Land is an important contribution to our understanding of Alaska Natives. A fascinating history of those who have shaped Alaska, written with the verve and accuracy we have come to expect from Judith Ferguson. A must read for anyone interested in Alaska history.
Judith Kleinfeld, Director of Northern Studies, Emeritus, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Author of The Frontier Romance: Environment, Culture, and Identity.

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