Abstract

Alaskaland explores the transformative power of Indigenous perspectives on Fairbanks, Alaska’s urban landscape. Created by a non-Alaskan Indigenous scholar from Russia and a non-Indigenous European artist, the zine is based on interviews with Arctic Indigenous residents, amplifying their voices. It addresses the historical dominance of Western urban planning and aesthetics while highlighting the contemporary efforts to reintegrate Indigenous knowledge, art, and traditions into the urban landscape. The project emphasizes the “everyday heritage” concept, highlighting the relationships between place, culture, and people in placemaking. This is shown through community-led murals, Native art integration, land acknowledgments, and language revitalization efforts. While the project uses artificial intelligence, its role is secondary, primarily enhancing existing photos of Indigenous place markers. AI was applied cautiously, and the ethical implications of its use were considered to avoid misrepresenting Indigenous imaginaries. The zine was shared with the community, including those interviewed, ensuring their perspectives remained central.