The Legacy of the Alaska Territorial Guard

This short film explores the crucial role played by the Alaska Territorial Guard in protecting Alaska during World War II. Alaska’s strategic location and vulnerability left it undefended and susceptible to invasion by the Japanese. In response, 600 Alaska Native people, ranging from young kids to Elders, utilized their knowledge of the land to help form the Territorial Guard and defend their homeland. The film highlights the importance of Indigenous people’s contributions in safeguarding Alaska and how their efforts helped secure a vital position on the world stage. Although the Territorial Guard only existed for five years, some of its members went on to serve in the military after World War II.

Workshop Info

In this professional development course, educators received comprehensive support to engage students in documentary filmmaking. Participants learned how to utilize primary sources from the Library of Congress and incorporated local resources such as Elder interviews, artifacts, photos, and documents. This training equipped teachers with the tools to create enriching, historically grounded educational experiences through the art of documentary filmmaking.

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