Chugach breaks ground on Anchorage campus connecting Alaska Native culture and community
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Held on June 23, 2026, Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach) celebrated a major milestone with the groundbreaking and blessing of Village in the City (VIC), an Alaska Native campus designed to bring together culture, community, and opportunity for generations to come.
VIC represents an investment in Alaska Native people and communities. The transformational project will create a welcoming gathering place that connects generations, strengthens cultural identity, and serves Alaska Natives, residents, and visitors alike. The campus will include spaces dedicated to workforce development, wellness, cultural preservation, community connection, and the sharing of Alaska Native history and heritage.
The groundbreaking marked the beginning of site preparations ahead of construction in 2027 and represented the first visible step toward realizing a vision decades in the making. Chugach thanks the many shareholders, descendants, partners, community leaders, elected officials, donors, and supporters who joined in celebrating this historic milestone.
The first phase of development will house:
- Chugach Alaska Corporation, which committed the four-acre site for the project and will provide space for future Chugach affiliated entities or other partners;
- Chugach Museum, which will preserve and share the stories, traditions, art, and history of the Chugach people;
- Chugach Tribal Services, which will expand capacity at VIC to provide workforce development and critical programs and support services to Alaska Natives; and
- Chugach Heritage Foundation, which will develop a traditional kayak and boat-building facility on the campus while continuing its mission of advancing education, cultural preservation, and opportunity for Chugach shareholders and descendants.
Once the first phase is completed in 2028, future phases will include housing, expanded community gathering spaces, and a wellness center featuring a gymnasium and auditorium that has potential for a childcare facility.
While rooted in the culture and traditions of the Chugach region, the vision for VIC is statewide. VIC is intended to serve as a resource hub and gathering place for Alaska Natives from across Alaska while welcoming visitors to Anchorage. The campus will help strengthen connections between village and urban communities by expanding access to cultural resources, education, services, and opportunities.
“VIC is the realization of a vision rooted in culture, community, and responsibility to future generations,” Chugach Chairman Sheri Buretta said. “The June 23 groundbreaking reflected decades of dedication from leaders, culture bearers, educators, advocates, shareholders, descendants, and partners who believed deeply in creating a place where our stories, traditions, and people will continue to thrive.”
Buretta added, “We are also proud to recognize the lasting legacy of Congressman Don Young, whose support helped plant the seed for VIC through a $3 million Economic Development Initiative secured in Congress. His vision and commitment to Alaska Native communities helped make this moment possible, and we remain deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life.”
“This project speaks directly to who we are as a corporation and as a people,” Chugach President Katherine Carlton said. “Village in the City will be a place of learning, healing, collaboration, and opportunity that strengthens connections between village and urban life while expanding access to the cultural resources, services, and support systems that empower Alaska Native people and communities.”
Chugach extends its gratitude to the many individuals, organizations, donors, cultural leaders, planners, architects, educators, advocates, and community partners whose collaboration made the project possible.
The groundbreaking ceremony and blessing featured remarks from Chugach leadership, the mayor of Anchorage, project partners, and invited guests, followed by a traditional blessing honoring the significance of the occasion and the future of Village in the City.
For more information, visit the VIC website.
About Village in the City
Village in the City (VIC) is an Alaska Native campus being developed in Anchorage to bring together culture, community, education, wellness, and opportunity. Opening in phases beginning in 2028, VIC will serve as a gathering place and resource hub for Alaska Natives while welcoming residents and visitors from across Alaska and beyond.
About Chugach Alaska Corporation
Established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, Chugach Alaska Corporation represents more than 3,000 shareholders of primarily Chugach Sugpiaq descent. Headquartered in Anchorage, Chugach creates meaningful value through a diversified portfolio of businesses, investments, and land resources.
About Chugach Heritage Foundation
Founded in 1985, Chugach Heritage Foundation invests in education and cultural preservation through scholarships, cultural programs, and community initiatives that support Chugach shareholders and descendants.
About Chugach Tribal Services
Chugach Tribal Services strengthens Alaska Native communities by expanding access to education, workforce development, cultural programs, and other services that promote self-determination and long-term well-being.
About the Chugach Museum
Opening in 2028 as part of Village in the City, the Chugach Museum will preserve and share the history, culture, art, and traditions of the Chugach people through Indigenous stewardship, education, and community engagement.
