The Eklutna Spirit Houses

A Window into Athabaskan Culture and Spirituality

Nestled in the woods near Eklutna, Alaska sit the captivating and mysterious Eklutna spirit houses. These small, colorful wooden buildings offer a glimpse into the spiritual beliefs and funerary customs of the Dena'ina Athabaskan people indigenous to this region. A visit to the sacred Eklutna cemetery provides an opportunity to learn about Athabaskan culture and connect with a place of tremendous spiritual significance.

The Dena'ina Athabaskans traditionally practiced cremation of their dead. The remaining ashes were placed in spirit houses, rather than buried underground. These above-ground wooden mausoleums protected the ashes and provided a place for loved ones to visit and commune with the spirits of the deceased. The Eklutna cemetery contains over 80 spirit houses painted in bright colors and decorated with crosses. Each house may contain the ashes of multiple generations from the same family.

The spirit houses are not just containers, but elaborately decorated spiritual sites. The colorful facades often feature crosses, stars, moons, and other iconography with spiritual meaning in Dena'ina culture. Some are adorned with antlers, symbolizing a hunter's success. The richly hued exteriors of red, green, yellow, and blue contrast beautifully against the surrounding boreal forest. The care and attention given to ornamentation reflect the Dena'ina belief that the deceased's spirit remains with the ashes. Loved ones return frequently to provide offerings and maintain the spirit houses.

The origin of the Eklutna spirit houses dates back hundreds of years. The practice of cremation declined as the Dena'ina people were strongly encouraged by missionaries to conform to Western-style burials, but spirit houses continued to be built over the buried. Russian missionaries arrived in the 1830s and built the original St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, which is still standing. A newer church was constructed in 1970. In the 1980s, the Native Village of Eklutna began actively working to protect and preserve the cemetery. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Today, the spirit houses remain vulnerable to vandalism and decay over time. Both the Native Village and the Alaska Native Heritage Center work to restore damaged houses, maintain the site, and pass Dena'ina traditions to younger generations.

Visitors have the profound opportunity to step into this sacred space and learn about Dena'ina history and spirituality. Access is available by guided tour with the Alaska Native Heritage Center or independently during daylight hours. As the cemetery continues to serve as an active burial site, visitors must be respectful of grieving families and village customs. Refrain from touching or disturbing the spirit houses. Try to come on a sunny day when the colors of the houses stand out sharply against the backdrop of towering mountains.

A visit to the Eklutna spirit houses lets you immerse yourself in a place of spiritual connections. While walking among the houses, contemplate the generations of Dena'ina elders that remain there in spirit. Notice how the natural landscape complements the colors and designs. You may feel a sense of peace listening to the wind whisper through the trees as it has for centuries. Mindfully observing and learning about this sacred site keeps Dena'ina culture alive and passes its heritage to future generations.

The spiritual traditions of Eklutna reveal universal human connections across cultures. We all share a desire to honor those who have passed on and feel links to our ancestors. The community cares for this sacred space just as they care for the spirits of their loved ones. A visit to the Eklutna cemetery offers a profoundly moving opportunity to reflect on the human experience of death while celebrating the continuity of life.

Getting there: Coming from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway, take the Eklutna exit at Milepost 26, then go left over the overpass. The Eklutna Cemetery is only a couple of blocks off the main highway

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