Mission Statement

Committed to Profitability, Celebration of our Heritage, and Ownership of our Lands.

The shareholders of Chugach Alaska Corporation (CAC) are composed of three distinct cultures: Aleut, Eskimo, and Indian, which settled the region over many centuries. The Chugach people primarily inhabited the coastal area in Prince William Sound (lower Cook Inlet). In part, because of the coastal accessibility of the people, their rich history includes a strong Russian influence.

The Chugach are the dominant Native group in the Sound. The name Chugach (pronounced CHOO-gatch) covers most of the coastal native groups. Other names denote sub-tribes (with the exception of the Eyak). The Eyak (pronounced "EE-yak") are of Indian decent. Within the Chugach Alaska Natives, there are sub-tribes, all of whom share a common ancestry, but who were isolated in different parts of the sound.

The Eyak peoples have inhabited a position in the Cordova area for millennia, acting as trade partners and buffers to the upland Ahtna and marine Chugach Eskimos. There is only one full-blooded Eyak alive today, a woman in her 80s, who speaks the Eyak language. The only other person to speak it is a linguist in Anchorage.

Today, the Chugach Heritage Foundation 501 c(3), a non-profit arm of CAC, is actively working to keep the traditional culture of the Native cultures in the region alive. It also encourages higher education by granting scholarships to shareholders demonstrating enthusiasm for learning and financial needs.

CAC is proud of its cultural resources department which is actively working to identify and preserve the archeological resources of the Chugach region by conducting site visits and carefully documenting the finds. Today, shareholders vary from individuals living a traditional subsistence lifestyle to highly-skilled craftspersons, college graduates and business professionals. The integration of modern education and cultural roots has resulted in shareholders who are dedicated to the heritage represented by CAC and are able to significantly contribute to the development of the company.