OUR MISSION

Preserve our sovereignty, enhance our economic and cultural resources, and promote self-sufficiency and self-governance for our citizens.
“All tribal citizens should be able
to identify their art as being made
by a tribal citizen of a federally
recognized tribe.”
- 79th Annual Tribal Assembly

Our Story
The State of Alaska’s Silver Hand program helps Alaska Native artists promote their work in the marketplace and enables consumers to identify and purchase authentic Alaska Native art. Unfortunately, only Alaska Natives residing in Alaska are eligible to apply for the certification.

Tlingit & Haida has thousands of tribal citizens that reside outside of Alaska, and it’s our mission to support economic self-sufficiency for our people and communities. Helping our tribal citizens market their arts and crafts is a way of aiding the mission. Tribal citizens worldwide can now proudly show they are a certified tribal artist.

“This is a wonderful way for the Tribe to exercise self-governance and support our tribal citizens.  The artwork our tribal citizens, regardless of what state or country they reside in, is still authentic  and Alaska Native-made—that’s the message we want to provide consumers.”
- President Richard Peterson
The Certified Tribal Artist Program is certified by the President of Tlingit & Haida 
Managed and promoted by the Business & Economic Development Department