ALaska native Culture & Heritage
Our Alaska Native Heritage
Bowhead is proud to serve as the federal contracting division of Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC), one of Alaska’s largest companies. UIC is headquartered in Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), the northernmost community in the United States. As an Alaska Native Corporation, UIC provides social and economic opportunities to more than 4,000 Iñupiat shareholders and their descendants.
As part of UIC, Bowhead is rooted in the strength of the Iñupiat people and guided by their values. Alongside this cultural foundation, we uphold commitments to Safety, Quality, Business Ethics, and Shareholder Development and Value—principles that shape how we serve our customers, support our communities, and build a stronger future for generations to come.
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)
For generations, Alaska Natives lived on and cared for their ancestral lands without recognition of legal ownership or full citizenship rights. When Alaska became a state in 1959, the federal government claimed most of the land, sparking disputes as Native Alaskans asserted their rights—especially after the discovery of oil on the North Slope brought national attention to the question of “Who owns Alaska?”
To resolve these long-standing claims, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was signed into law on December 18, 1971. ANCSA sought to settle all aboriginal land claims by creating a new framework: Alaska was divided into 13 regional corporations, and Native villages were given the right to establish their own “village corporations.” From this historic legislation, Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) was established to serve the people of Utqiaġvik and their descendants, providing both cultural and economic strength for future generations.
We are proud to serve as the federal contracting division of Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC).
When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was signed into law in 1971, the people of Utqiaġvik embraced the challenge of transforming generations of resilience, ingenuity, and cooperation into a new corporate future. On March 30, 1973, community members gathered to establish their village corporation, selecting the name Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) to honor their ancestral heritage. UIC was officially incorporated on April 19 of that year.
In its earliest days, whalers and subsistence hunters stepped into corporate leadership roles—guided by determination, vision, and the wisdom of their Elders. What began with just three employees quickly grew into ventures that met community needs and created new opportunities, including retail, housing, construction, insurance, and marine transportation. Each endeavor reflected the Iñupiat values of preparation, adaptability, and cooperation that have sustained the people of the Arctic for centuries.
Over the decades, UIC has expanded into one of Alaska’s largest companies, with thousands of employees and a diversified portfolio of businesses across the nation. Yet its mission has remained constant: enriching the lives of Iñupiat families while protecting the land for future generations.
As the federal contracting division of UIC, Bowhead continues this legacy—delivering mission-critical support to our customers while honoring the heritage and values that define who we are.