Old harbor alliance
The Old Harbor Alliance is a 501©3 nonprofit organization created by community members to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic well-being of Old Harbor Alliance membership. Our work is rooted in Alutiiq values of respect, stewardship, and responsibility to future generations.
What We Do
The Alliance develops and supports programs that promote:
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Food Sovereignty & Security – Increasing access to traditional, locally sourced, and culturally significant foods through sustainable harvesting, processing, and storage.
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Cultural Preservation – Supporting the continuation of Alutiiq traditions, language, and knowledge through community-driven initiatives and intergenerational learning.
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Education & Youth Engagement – Providing opportunities for youth to connect with culture, land, and leadership through hands-on experiences.
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Environmental Stewardship – Advancing responsible land and bison management practices that honor cultural relationships with the land.
Community-Led & Collaborative
The Old Harbor Alliance works in close collaboration with the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor, Old Harbor Native Corporation, and regional partners. By aligning efforts, we strengthen local capacity, reduce duplication, and ensure programs are guided by community priorities.
Why It Matters
Old Harbor is a remote community where access to resources can be limited. Our programs help build resilience by strengthening local food systems, preserving cultural identity, and supporting long-term community sustainability.
Celebrating Alutiiq Culture
Old Harbor is a resilient and vibrant community where Sugpiaq Alutiiq culture, a subsistence way of life, and modern realities intersect. With fewer than 300 residents, our community faces ongoing challenges, including economic hardship, the erosion of language and traditions, high transportation costs, and persistent health disparities.
In response, Old Harbor comes together to develop community-driven solutions that honor our cultural heritage while building a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.
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Key Initiatives
Why Food Sovereignty Matters
Old Harbor is accessible only by plane or boat, and food costs are often two to three times higher than in the Lower 48. With approximately 95% of Alaska’s food imported, our community is particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions—an issue made starkly clear during COVID-19 pandemic.
Reclaiming food sovereignty is essential to community health, cultural continuity, and long-term resilience.
Looking Forward
Through advocacy, education, workforce training, and hands-on, community-led programs, the Old Harbor Alliance is strengthening local food systems and cultural stewardship—honoring our past, sustaining our present, and building a healthier, more resilient future.
Meet Our Board
Founded in 2014, the Old Harbor Alliance is a nonprofit organization rooted in the remote Alutiiq village of Old Harbor on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Our Board of Directors is composed of dedicated community leaders who guide the Alliance’s mission and uphold its responsibility to serve current and future generations.
Board members bring a deep connection to community, culture, and place, and work collaboratively to strengthen programs that support health, food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and leadership development. Through their volunteer service, the Board helps ensure the Alliance remains accountable, transparent, and responsive to community needs.
Together, our Board is committed to bringing people together, strengthening local leadership, and supporting a healthy, resilient community for generations to come.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can make our community stronger.
