Ventures
Aywaa Project
Celebrating and strengthening Alaska Native voice, story and creativity to shape a future grounded in culture, identity and self-determination.
Aywaa uplifts Alaska Native narrative through storytelling and creativity as powerful forces for cultural strength and community well-being. Through its two connected initiatives, Aywaa Storyhouse and Aywaa Creative, the project amplifies Indigenous leadership, values and innovation. Together, they build momentum toward a future grounded in cultural knowledge, belonging and reciprocity.
Informing, Uplifting And Inspiring Through The Power Of Storytelling
Aywaa is built on a simple idea: that Indigenous narrative and self-expression are not just reflections of identity, they are essential for leadership, resilience and innovation. Across Alaska, new generations of Alaska Native leaders, storytellers and artists are carrying cultural knowledge into the work of generational community building, adaptation and governance.
Through Aywaa Storyhouse and Aywaa Creative, Aywaa helps strengthen that movement. Storyhouse centers Native-led solutions and stories of Native nation-building, creating space for Indigenous leadership and values to shape how we approach today’s environmental and social challenges. Aywaa Creative supports artists and culture-bearers who carry those values forward, connecting them through the Aywaa Storyhouse Artist Fellowship and other programs that share resources and knowledge, and build community.
For Alaska Venture Fund, Aywaa represents a belief at the heart of our work: that lasting change starts with connection and values. By uplifting Indigenous narrative and creativity, we’re helping strengthen the cultural foundation from which community resilience and self-determined futures can thrive.
Aywaa Storyhouse
Storyhouse celebrates the Indigenous stories and leaders shaping futures in Alaska. Through storytelling, dialogue and journalism, it elevates Alaska Native leaders and next-generation voices strengthening their communities and cultures. Storyhouse advances a narrative of strength, vision and self-determination, showing how values-based leadership equips us for a stronger future.
Aywaa Creative
Aywaa Creative advances Alaska Native narrative sovereignty—ensuring Indigenous people retain full ownership and creative control over their stories and creative works. Through fellowships and artist programs, it supports artists, storytellers and culture bearers across the state. By creating spaces for Alaska Native voices to thrive, Aywaa Creative sustains aspects of cultural and artistic Indigenous identity that spans generations.
