First Alaskans Institute
The First Alaskans Institute was founded by the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1989 as the AFN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. In 1995, the foundation received a sizeable payment from Alyeska Pipeline Service Company as part of a settlement negotiated with the U.S. Department of Interior over Native hire requirements on the trans-Alaska pipeline.

In 2000, the foundation became independent from AFN, was renamed the First Alaskans Foundation, and received a $20 million endowment pledge from the oil company owners of the trans-Alaska pipeline. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, composed of current and past presidents and chairs of the Alaska Federation of Natives. In 2002, the Board of Trustees changed the name to First Alaskans Institute to better reflect its mission and activities.