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.