Overview
The Iñupiat History, Language and Culture Department (IHLC) brings people together to promote and perpetuate Iñupiat history, language and culture.
Tags
- Government Organization
- History Museum
- Community Center
Description
The City of Barrow envisioned the dream of opening a heritage center in 1990 but it was a multi- organization effort:
The City of Barrow Created the Community Cultural Center Board comprised of staff from the Iñupiat History, Language and Culture Division, the North Slope Borough Planning Department, the North Slope Borough Assembly, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation, Native Village of Barrow, Ilisagvik College Tuzzy Library, the Barrow Chamber of Commerce, the Barrow Visitors Bureau, along with an Elder representative, and a student representative.
The Community Cultural Center Board received a State of Alaska planning grant in preparation for the center to become a reality.
In 1995 the North Slope Borough passed a Capital Improvement Project bond to begin construction.
Ilisagvik took over project following an Elders Youth Conference resolution.
In 1996 the Community Cultural Center changed leadership and were now known as the Cultural Center Advisory Committee. The new committee led the project under Ilisagvik College
The Iñupiat Heritage Center first opened in 1999
In 2003 the management of the center was fully transferred to the North Slope Borough
