2026 Rolling Application Deadline: March 16th, 2026

Purpose
The First Alaskans Institute (FAI) 2026 Summer Internship Program (SIP) places Alaska Native, American Indian, rural community members and students into organizations around Alaska to provide leadership growth, employment experience, and exploration. The program is designed to help those who show a high level of community leadership, commitment, prepare for their careers, further or advance their education or training, and engage in other professional opportunities that strengthen their ability to help serve and advance our Alaska Native community. Throughout the program, interns will examine priorities that benefit our extended Alaska Native family that include:
  • Advancing Self Determination
  • Advancing Our Ways of Life
  • Funding and Supporting Indigenous Language and Culture
  • Contributing and Sharing Knowledge to Inform Alaska's Future
  • Building Relationships Through Compassion and Unity
FAI values our partnerships across the state as we seek to ensure meaningful employment opportunities for the interns and their employers. Interns will have the option to help establish partnerships with new employers if current options are not relevant, especially where it will allow them to return to their home village or region. Since 2004, FAI has placed 401 interns in over 110 different partner organizations in 26 communities across Alaska.
Internship Details
  • Paid internship with in-person Orientation Week and Closing Week, hosted in a rural Alaska community if safe to do so
  • Work site placements available throughout Alaska
  • Full time work schedule, 40 hours a week for 10 weeks $25.00/hour
  • Travel provided from home community to work site community at start and end of internship, (if needed)
  • Strong Alaska Native cultural emphasis and knowledge sharing
  • Mandatory leadership development sessions
  • Interns are expected to secure their own housing and accommodations during program
Timeline
  • Final Selection of Interns: As applications are received and filled.
  • Intern placement at Employer Partner organization: June 8th - July 17th, 2026
  • Mandatory In-Person Orientation Week and Closing Week, June 1st - 5th & July 20th - 24th, 2026
  • Mandatory Leadership Development Fridays (Via Zoom), 1-5pm, every other Friday.
Application Requirements
  • Eligibility: Priority placement is given to college juniors, seniors and recent graduates of college or vocational schools, graduate students, and/or community members whose life experience and work history showcase a commitment to serving our Native peoples but have not enrolled in higher education. Applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent.
  • Online application (if inaccessible, please contact FAI for a paper application);
  • Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts may be requested);
  • Resume reflecting cultural/community/leadership activities, education, employment, etc. (2 pages or less);
  • Personal biography (include English name, Indigenous name (if you have one or know it), hometown you were raised in, village(s) your family is from, Tribe enrolled with, Native cultural affiliation, parents, grandparents, schools, hobbies and passions, etc.) which will be used in a press release or on social media (250 words or less);
  • Reflective essay (no more than 650 words) or video/digital story (1.5 - 3 minutes) response to listed questions on next page;
  • Two letters of recommendation from professional or community references;
  • Copy or photo of Tribal ID Card or Certificate of Indian Blood;
  • Photo which will be used in a press release or on social media about the selected cohort.
Application Tip: Prepare the documents listed above a head of time to be most efficient. Attach and submit documents on the next page.

For More Information
Direct all questions to Jitshla Tobi Woods at Jitshla@firstalaskans.org or 907-677-1701.

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