Ahtna

The Ahtna People

The Ahtna are a group of people who live in Alaska. They are part of the Alaska Native Athabaskan people. Their home is called Atna Nenn', in the Copper River area of southern Alaska.

The Ahtna have many neighbors, including the Dena'ina, Koyukon, Lower Tanana, Tanacross, Upper Tanana, Southern Tutchone, Tlingit, Eyak, and Chugach Sugpiaq. These groups live around them, showing the rich culture of the region.

The Ahtna speak one of the Athabaskan languages. There are different dialects depending on where people live along the Copper River. Today, only a few Ahtna people still speak the Ahtna language, but efforts are being made to keep it alive.

The Ahtna have a long history in the Wrangell Mountains and the Chitina Valley. They have lived there for thousands of years, moving to different places depending on the season. In summer, they stay in temporary houses made from trees. In winter, they live in large homes made from wood and covered with spruce bark.

Their lives are closely tied to nature. They hunt animals like moose and caribou, and catch salmon in rivers. They also gather berries and roots. When they travel, they use special tools like snowshoes and toboggans.