Howard Luke: Cultural Ambassador

Howard Luke

Chief Peter John Collection, University of Alaska Fairbanks, UAF-2009-92-159

Elder Howard Luke Remembered

In September, 2019, Interior Alaska lost an important member of its community. Howard Luke lived a subsistence lifestyle and dedicated his life to helping others. Now, the Elder is celebrated for sharing and instilling Athabascan culture in Alaska and around the world.

Howard Luke was born near Nenana in 1923 and moved to Fairbanks when he was thirteen.[1] He spent part of his early life racing dogs and boats, but eventually decided to build a camp where he could help others. In the early 1990s, Luke established the Gaalee'ya Spirit Camp on the banks of the Tanana River near Fairbanks. The camp focused on helping recovering alcoholics, but it was also a place where youth could learn about Athabascan traditions. Over the years, Gaalee'ya has provided lessons on language, art, sewing, crafting baskets, building sleds, trapping and other techniques used to live off the land.

An article about Howard Luke's proposed camp on the Tanana River

Daily Sitka Sentinel, August 26, 1993

Howard Luke’s many contributions to the Interior community have been acknowledged and honored in recent times. A building at the Effie Kokrine Charter School in Fairbanks was named in his honor and, in 1996, the University of Alaska Fairbanks presented him with an honorary doctorate. The Gaalee’ya Spirit Camp celebrates Luke’s legacy and will continue to build community by teaching important traditions and empowering young people.

UAF conducted an oral history interview which provides great insights into Luke's early life. In the last two weeks, obituaries and tributes have poured in from around the state and country, and offer a glimpse into Luke's important work.



[1] The Native Village of Nenana is a federally recognized tribe that Denali National Park and Preserve consults with.