Alaska Native Brotherhood, founded in 1912 by Alaskan Native men, and the Alaska Native Sisterhood, established in 1915, are nonprofit organizations formed to address discrimination and promote Native solidarity and equal rights.
In addition to being a leading force in the struggle to give Natives their economic and political rights, Sitka’s ANB Camp 1 and ANS Camp 4 have seen to the renovation and care of the ANB Founders Hall.
Built in 1914 at 235 Katlian St. on the Sitka waterfront, the two-story wood frame building was the first facility owned by the ANB, and was a symbol of the Natives’ growing political power. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark on June 2, 1978.
The hall not only is an activities center for ANB and ANS, it serves the entire town. The ANS kitchen has been a resource for such events as community Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and many organizations and programs use the hall for social meetings and community events such as the Farmers Market.
The ANB and ANS can be contacted at 235 Katlian St., Sitka, AK 99835. The phone number is (907) 747-4562 and the email address is sitkaanb@hotmail.com.
