Our Work and Community
Old Harbor is a remote Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) community located on the southeast side of Kodiak Island, Alaska. Surrounded by rugged coastline, mountains, and rich marine and terrestrial ecosystems, Old Harbor has been home to Alutiiq people for thousands of years.
Today, fewer than 300 residents live in Old Harbor, maintaining strong cultural ties through subsistence practices, language, and shared responsibility to one another. Fishing, hunting, gathering, and cultural traditions remain central to daily life and community identity.
A Community Rooted in Culture
Old Harbor is part of the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor and the Old Harbor Native Corporation, established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Together, these entities support cultural preservation, land stewardship, and the well-being of community members.
Despite its strength and resilience, Old Harbor faces challenges common to many rural Alaska communities, including high transportation and energy costs, limited access to goods and services, and health and economic disparities. With access only by boat or plane, food and household costs are often significantly higher than in urban areas.
Strength Through Community
Community members actively participate in the design and implementation of programs that strengthen local food systems, support youth and workforce development, and steward land and wildlife resources responsibly. These efforts reflect a commitment to self-determination and sustainable development rooted in cultural values.
Investment in Old Harbor supports scalable, place-based solutions that address food security, health, and cultural preservation in one of Alaska’s most remote regions—while honoring Indigenous leadership and long-term community resilience.
Old Harbor is a place where culture, land, and people are deeply connected—and where community continues to lead the way forward.
