This is a bibliography I compiled in 2015-6. You can see my criteria, methodology, and analysis in the paper on the subject which I gave at the Alaska Native Studies Conference in Anchorage in 2015.
Alaska Native Biographies and Autobiographies-Paper
You are welcome to print out, and disseminate this Bibliography and I hope it is of use to you. here is the pdf version. Bibliography of Alaska Native Biographies and Autobiographies
If there are items you know of that I should add to this list, please let me know. I hope to keep it updated here. I do not have a list separated by culture and region, but its a good idea.
Jane G. Haigh, PhD, Assistant Professor of History, Kenai Peninsula College
Alexander, Evelyn, in collaboration with Joshua Weiser Evelyn Alexander: A Life History in Her Own Words, Fairbanks, UAF, Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, 2007
Andrew, Frank, and Ann Fienup-Riordan. Paitarkiutenka, My legacy to you. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2008.
Andrews, Susan B., and John Creed. Authentic Alaska: Voices of Its Native Writers. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1998.
Aiken, Robert, and Lew Freedman. Muktuk and mukluks: the life & times of the world’s largest Eskimo. Anchorage: Glacier Press, 1999
Atwater, Barbara Jacko, Walter’s Story: Pedro Bay, Alaska — Past, Present, and Distant Memories, Publication Consultants, 2016
Beetus, Joe. Joe Beetus, Hughes. North Vancouver, B.C., Canada: Hancock House, 1980.
Beatus, Henry. Henry Beatus, Sr., Hughes. North Vancouver, B.C., Canada: Hancock House, 1980.
Blackman, Margaret B. and Florence Edenshaw Davidson, During My Time: Florence Edenshaw Davidson, a Haida Woman. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1992.
Blackman, Margaret B. Sadie Brower Neakok, an Iñupiaq Woman. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1989.
Blue, Annie, Annie Blue’s Stories, Alaska Native language Center, 2007
Bodfish, Waldo, Kusiq: An Eskimo Life History from the Arctic Coast of Alaska. University of Alaska Press, 1991.
Brady, Carol Feller. Through the Storm Towards the Sun: A personal Account of Life in Transition in Southeast Alaska. Wrangell, Alaska (P.O. Box 247, Wrangell 99929)]: C.F. Brady, 1980.
Brower, Harry, and Karen Brewster, Whales, They Give Themselves: Conversations With Harry Brower, Sr. (Oral biography series; v. 4). University of Alaska Press, 2004.
Brown, Altona, Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison. Altona Brown: Ruby. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1983.
Brown, Emily Ivanoff. The Roots of Ticasuk: An Eskimo Woman’s Family Story. Anchorage, Alaska: Alaska Northwest Books, 1981.
Brown, Emily Ivanoff, Inupiaq Eskimo Homes, Seattle, Shorey Book Store, 1956
Bryson, George, and Larry McNeil. Larry McNeil: Focus on the Heart of Alaska, Its People. Anchorage, Ak: Anchorage Daily News, 1985.
Carlo, Poldine, Nulato. Fairbanks, Carlo, 1978.
Chisholm, Colin. Through Yup’ik Eyes: An Adopted Son Explores the Landscape of Family. Portland, OR: Alaska Northwest Books, 2000.
Clark, Joe, and Joe Faith. Nukalpiaq: A Good Hunter and Provider. Victoria, B.C.: Trafford, 2005.
Corwin, Juanita M. My Father’s Daughter. Juneau, AK: Sam S. Corwin, 2001.
Cruikshank, Julie. Life Lived Like a Story: Life Stories of Three Yukon Native Elders. Lincoln: Univ. of Nebraska Press, 1992.
Cruikshank, Moses, The Life I’ve Been Living (Oral Biography Series), University of Alaska Press (1986).
Dauenhauer, Nora Marks. Life Woven with Song. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2000.
Dauenhauer, Richard D. and Nora Marks Dauenhauer, eds. Haa Shuká, Our Ancestors: Tlingit Oral Narratives. (Classics of Tlingit Oral Literature, vol. 1.) Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1987.
Dauenhauer, Richard D. and Nora Marks Dauenhauer, eds. Haa Kusteeyí, Our Culture: Tlingit Life Stories. (Classics of Tlingit Oral Literature, vol. 3.) Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1994
Dayton, Roger. Roger Dayton of Koyukuk, with Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison Hancock House, 1981
Deacon, Belle, Karen McPherson, and James M. Kari. Engithidong Xugixudhoy: Their Stories of Long Ago. Fairbanks: Alaska Native Language Center, College of Liberal Arts, University of Alaska, 1987.
Degnan, Frances Ann. Under the Arctic Sun: The Life and Times of Frank and Ada Degnan. Unalakleet, Alaska: Cottonwood Bark, 1999.
Eakon, Larissa, Carol Charles, Janis Koutchak, Garylee Koutchak, Marty Martin, and Elaine Towarak. Frank Auvnue Degnan: 1901-1980. 1993.
Ekada, Henry, Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison. Henry Ekada: Nulato. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1986.
Frank, Johnny, Sarah Frank, and Craig Mishler, Neerihiinjik (We Traveled from Place to Place) ND
Freedman, Lew. Spirit of the Wind: The Story of George Attla, Alaska’s Legendary Sled Dog Sprint Champ. Kenmore, WA, Epicenter Press, 2000.
Freiburger, Annette J. The Life History of Effie Kokrine Through Personal Recordings. M.A. Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2013.
Gallagher, Hugh G., Etok: A Story of Eskimo Power (Biography of Charles Edwardsen Jr.), New York, New York: G.P. Putman and Sons, 1974.
George, Otto. Eskimo Medicine Man. Portland: Oregon Historical Society, 1978.
Gill, Ian. All That We Say Is Ours: Guujaaw and the Reawakening of the Haida Nation. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2010.
Golodoff, Nick. Attu Boy: A Young Alaskan’s WWII Memoir. Fairbanks, University of Alaska Press, 2015.
Green, Paul, and George Aden Ahgupuk. I Am Eskimo, Aknik My Name. Juneau, Alaska: Alaska-Northwest Pub. Co, 1959.
Harper-Haines, Jan. Cold River Spirits: The Legacy of an Athabascan-Irish Family from Alaska’s Yukon River. Kenmore, WA: Epicenter Press, 2000.
Hayes, Ernestine. Lingʹit Aanʹi: An Alaska Native Memoir. MA Thesis University of Alaska Anchorage, 2003.
Hayes, Ernestine. Blonde Indian: An Alaska Native Memoir. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2006.
Hayes, Ernestine, The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir, Seattle, University of Washington Press, 2016.
Hedrick, Basil Calvin, and Susan Hedrick. Ethel Washington: The Life and Times of an Eskimo Doll Maker. [Fairbanks, Alaska]: Alaska Historical Commission, 1983.
Henry, and Eliza Jones. The Stories That Chief Henry Told. Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Native Language Center, University of Alaska, 1979.
Hensley, William L. Iggiaruk. Fifty Miles from Tomorrow, New York, Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2009.
Herbert, Belle. Shandaa in my lifetime, Alaska Native Language Center: University of Alaska, 1982.
Holloway, J. Michael. Dreaming Bears: A Gwich’in Indian Storyteller, a Southern Doctor, a Wild Corner of Alaska (Epicenter Press, 208 pages, 2014)
Honea, John, Curt Madison, and Yvonne Yarber. John Honea: Ruby. Blaine, WA, U.S.A.: Hancock House, 1981.
Huntington, James, and Lawrence Elliott. On the Edge of Nowhere. Crown Books, 1966 (Kenmore, WA: Epicenter Press, 2002).
Huntington, Sidney, and Jim Rearden. Shadows on the Koyukuk: An Alaskan Native’s Life Along the River. Anchorage: Alaska Northwest Books, 1993.
Hymes, Molly Hootch, and Michael Locke. I Remember When: Growing Up in Alaska on the Kwiguk Pass of the Lower Yukon River. Anchorage, Alaska: Publication Consultants, 2011.
Isaac, Andrew, Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison. Andrew Isaac. Fairbanks: Central Alaska Curriculum Consortium, 1988.
Jenness, Aylette, and Alice Rivers. In Two Worlds: A Yup’ik Eskimo Family. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1989.
Jimmie, Charles, and Tommy Jimmie. Charlie Jimmie Growing Up Tlingit. Haines, AK (P.O. Box 1809): Haines Borough Public Library, 2004.
Joe, Martha, Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison. Martha Joe: Nulato. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1987.
John, Peter, edited by David J. Krupa, The Gospel According to Peter John,Alaska Native Knowledge Network (available for free as a PDF download (2.3 MB) or as an eBook
Johnson, Palascovia Yako, Marie Meade, and Arnaq Esther Ilutsik. Pal’aq: Palascovia Yako Johnson of Koliganek (Qalirneq). 2014.
Jorgensen, Holger, and Jean Lester. Jorgy: The Life of Native Alaskan Bush Pilot and Airline Captain Holger “Jorgy” Jorgensen. Ester, AK: Ester Republic Press, 2007.
Joseph, Dorothy Savage. Fishcamp, Anchorage: D.S. Joseph, 1997.
Kakianak, Nathan, and Charles C. Hughes. Eskimo Boyhood; An Autobiography in Psychosocial Perspective. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1974.
Kalifornsky, Peter, A Dena’ina legacy: the collected writings of Peter Kalifornsky: K’tl’egh’i sukdu, Fairbanks: Alaska Native Language Center University of Alaska, 1991.
Kallands, Edgar, Curt Madison, and Yvonne Yarber. Edgar Kallands: Kaltag. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1982.
Kan, Sergei, and Vincent Soboleff. A Russian American Photographer in Tlingit Country: Vincent Soboleff in Alaska. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2013.
Kanguk, and William Albee. Kanguk: A Boy of Bering Strait. Boston: Little, Brown, 1939
Kaplan, Laurence, King Island Tales: Ugiuvangmiut Quliapyuit, Alaska Native Language Center, 1988.
Kari, James and James A. Fall. Shem Pete’s Alaska: The Territory of the Upper Cook Inlet Dena’ina. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press. 2nd Edition, 2003.
Kari, James M. Mike Alex, 1908-1977. [Place of publication not identified]: Eklutna-Alex Associates, 1978.
Kawagley, A. Oscar. A Yupiaq Worldview: A Pathway to Ecology and Spirit. Prospect Heights, Ill: Waveland Press, 1995.
Keats, Della (Puyuq), Lucier, Charles, and James Van Stone, “An Inupiaq Autobiography.” Etudes/Inuit/Studies 11, no. 1 (1987): 149-72
Laraux, Sis. Lena: Life Story of My Mother. Anchorage, Alaska: A.T. Pub. & Printing, 2002.
Laraux, Sis. Our side of the river: a biography of growing up and living in Alaska on our side of the Kuskokwim River in the village of Old Akiak. 1994, 2006
Luke, Howard, Jan Steinbright Jackson, ed. My Own Trail, Fairbanks, Alaska Native Knowledge Network, 1998.
Mackenzie, Clara Childs, Wolf Smeller by Zhoh Gwatsan A biography of John Fredson, Native Alaskan, Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University Press, 1985.
Marr, Gerald William, and Richard G. Newton. Conversations with Richard G. Newton: The Life Story of Klgak’eesh, a Tlingit Elder. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Oregon, 1998, 1998.
Mayakok, Robert Eskimo True Stories, Sitka Printing Co. (N.D.)
McCanna, Daisy Sheward. Yupik Echoes: A Girl’s Journey. Anchorage: Chugach Alaska Corporation, 2008.
McCarty, Billy, Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison. Billy McCarty, Sr.: Ruby. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1983.
Merculieff, Larry. Wisdom Keeper:One Man’s Journey to Honor the Untold History of the Unangan People. Berkeley, CA, 2016.
Metcalfe, Kimberly L. In Sisterhood: The History of Camp 2 of the Alaska Native Sisterhood. Juneau, Alaska: Hazy Island Books, 2008.
Morgan, Lael Art and Eskimo power: the life and times of Alaskan Howard Rock , Fairbanks, Epicenter Press, 1988.
Morgan, Lael. Eskimo Star: from the tundra to tinseltown: the Ray Mala story, Kenmore, WA, Epicenter Press, 2011.
Mountain, Simeon, Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison. Simeon Mountain: Nulato. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1983.
Mulcahy, Joanne B. Birth & Rebirth on an Alaskan Island: The Life of an Alutiiq Healer. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2001.
Napoleon, Harold Yuuyaraq: The Way of the Human Being: with Commentary, 1996.
Nictune, Oscar, Curt Madison, and Yvonne Yarber. Oscar Nictune, Sr.: Alatna. North Vancouver, B.C.: Hancock House, 1979.
Nyman, Elizabeth, and Jeff Leer. Gágiwduł.àt: brought forth to reconfirm : the legacy of a Taku River Tlingit clan. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada: Yukon Native Language Centre, 1993.
Oleksa, Fr. Michael, Six Alaskan Native Women Leaders: Pre-Statehood: Belle Herbert, Della Keats, Maggie Lind, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Anfesia Shapsnikoff, Sophia Vlasoff, Alaska Dept. of Ed., 1991
Oliver, Simeon (Nutchuk). Son of the Smokey Sea. Julian Messner, Inc., 1941.
Oliver, Simeon (Nutchuk). Back to the Smokey Sea. Julian Messner, Inc., 1946.
Paneak, Simon, and John Martin Campbell. In a Hungry Country. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press, 2004.
Paneak, Simon. We Hunt to Live. Barrow, Alaska: North Slope Borough Planning Dept, 1989.
Peter, Katherine, Neets’aii Gwiindaii: Living in the Chandalar Country, Alaska Native Language Center,1992,
Peter, Katherine, Living in the Chief’s House (Khehkwaii Zheh Gwiich’i’), Alaska Native Language Center, 2001
Peters, Hild M. Where the Rivers Meet: The Life Story of the Reverend Helen Peters of Tanana. M.A. Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks 2014.
Pinson, Elizabeth Bernhardt. Alaska’s Daughter. Logan: Utah State University Press, 2004.
Ray, Dorothy Jean. 1984. “Happy Jack: King of the Eskimo Ivory Carvers”. American Indian Art Magazine. [10, no. 1.]
Roberts, Josephine, Curt Madison, and Yvonne Yarber. Josephine Roberts, Tanana. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1983.
Rostad, Michael, Time to Dance: Life of an Alaska Native, Larry Sava Matfay (1907 – 1998) A.T. Publishing, 1988
Semaken, Goodwin, Yvonne Yarber, and Curt Madison. Goodwin Semaken: Kaltag. Fairbanks, Alaska: Spirit Mountain Press, 1984.
Seveck, Chester Asakak. Longest Reindeer Herder: A Fascinating True Life Story of an Alaskan Eskimo Covering the Period from 1890 to 1973. [S.l.]: Rainbow Ventures, 1981.
Shadbolt, Doris. Bill Reid. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1986.
Shales, Joyce Walton. Rudolph Walton: One Tlingit Man’s Journey Through Stormy Seas : Sitka, Alaska, 1867-1951. PhD Thesis, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 1998.
Simon, Edwin, 1898-1979. Edwin Simon of Huslia. Hancock House, 1981.
Simpson, Ronald, Legacy of the Chief, Anchorage, Publication Consultants, 2002
Smelcer, John, Indian Giver. Leapfrog Press; 2016.
Solomon, Madeline, Curt Madison, and Yvonne Yarber. Madeline Solomon: Koyukuk. Blaine, WA, U.S.A.: Hancock House, 1981.
Steven, Hugh, and Roy Ahmaogak, Good Broth to Warm Our Bones. Westchester, Ill: Crossway Books, 1982.
Stevens, Bill, edited by Maryanne Allan, Craig Mishler and James Kari, Ch’adzaa Aghwaa: He Carries the Dance, Alaska Native Knowledge Network, University of Alaska, 2013.
Terry, Steven B., and Jill K. Anderson. Maniilaq: Prophet from the Edge of Nowhere. Seattle, Wash: Onjinjinkta Pub, 2001.
Thomas, Kenny, and Craig Mishler. Crow is my boss: the oral life history of a Tanacross Athabaskan elder. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2005.
Tippett, Maria. Bill Reid: The Making of an Indian. Toronto: Random House Canada, 2003.
Tiulana, Paul, and Vivian Senungetuk. A Place for Winter: Paul Tiulana’s Story. Anchorage, Alaska: CIRI Foundation, 1987.
Tiulana, Paul, Vivian Senungetuk, and Paul Tiulana. Wise Words of Paul Tiulana: An Inupiat Alaskan’s Life. New York: Franklin Watts, 1998.
Tobuk, Frank, Curt Madison, and Yvonne Yarber. Frank Tobuk, Evansville. North Vancouver, B.C., Canada: Hancock House, 1980.
Togiak School, Alaska. Tuyuryarmuit: Arts and Crafts of Togiak, Alaska. Togiak, Alaska, 1974.
Wallis, Velma; Illustrated by Grant, James L., Sr., Raising Ourselves: A Gwich’in Coming of Age Story From The Yukon River, Epicenter Press, 2002.
Wilder, Edna. The Eskimo Girl and the Englishman. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press, 2007.
Wilder, Edna, Once Upon an Eskimo Time, Alaska Northwest Books, 1987; University of Alaska Press, 2009.
Williams, Mike, Sr. and Lew Freedman, Racing Toward Recovery: The Extraordinary Story of Alaska Musher Mike Williams Sr. Portland, Graphics Arts Books, 2015.
Wolfe, Ellen. William Beltz. Minneapolis: Dillon Press, 1975
Yarber, Yvonne, Dorcas Neakok, Kate Pederson, Paul Tazruk, and Amos Agnasagga. Point Lay Biographies. Barrow, Alaska: North Slope Borough School District, 2012.