KODIAK,ALASKA-The Alutiiq Museum has earned accreditation from the American Association of Museums. Accreditation certifies that the museum maintains the highest standards of professional practice. Reviewers who visited Kodiak on behalf of the American Association of Museum last April wrote, “The museum is a demonstrate leader among Native and tribal museums nationally,and among all museums in Alaska.”

The Alutiiq Museum becomes just the second accredited tribal repository in United States, and the seventh in Alaska.

The Alutiiq Museum’s accreditation bid began 14 years ago when board and staff members set certification as a long-range goal. Since then, the museum has modeled its practices after accreditation standards, developing policies and procedures to guide the young organization’s work, and consulting museum professionals to evaluate everything from governance to the daily care of collections. This initial certification will last 15 years, then the museum must apply to renew its accreditation.

“This is a milestone for the Alutiiq Museum,” said Executive Director Sven Haakanson, Jr. “Accreditation is the professional seal of approval. It lets others know that the Alutiiq nation has amodel museum.”

“Many people helped the museum reach its accreditation goal. We are especially grateful to Scott Carrlee of the Alaska State Museum who urged us to begin the extensive application process,”said Haakanson. “Once we were in the program, it took the entire board and staff two years of application writing, documentation, and correspondence, followed by a visit to Kodiak by accreditation program representatives, to reach this day. It was a team effort and we did it. It feels amazing.”