Institute of the North

The Institute of the North, founded by Governor Walter J. Hickel, is a leader in the study of Alaska’s unique governmental and economic system that combines a constitutional democracy, a free enterprise economy, and commonly owned lands and resources (i.e. the commons). The “commons” is an emerging academic discipline of great significance to those dedicated to eliminating poverty in community-based cultures as well as those concerned about the total environment – people, people’s needs and nature.