In Māori culture, the land and all the life it sustains are considered respected relatives. Dr. Ihi Heke says he carries on that tradition when he talks to the mountains, trees and streams. What he learns from them, he says, could save the planet.

Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance says her new administration has been focused on stabilizing city government, with public safety as the top priority.

The National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference was held in Anchorage from September 9-12. Tribes across the country shared stories about the impacts of climate change and the work they're doing to adapt, much of it being carried on by young Indigenous leaders.

Brian Smith was convicted in July of killing two Alaska Native women, but during his sentencing, photos were revealed of a third possible victim, believed to be Cassandra Boskofsky, an Alaska Native originally from the Kodiak area. Although Anchorage police say there's not enough evidence to charge Smith with her murder, an Anchorage jury has awarded her family a death certificate and declared her to be a victim of homicide.

The Alaska Pacific Island Pageant is more than just a pageant. Organizers say it embodies the spirit of the Pacific and serves as "a platform to inspire, advocate, and represent the vibrant diversity of the Pacific for the state of Alaska."