Pioneers of Alaska was one of many organizations formed in early territorial settling days for social purposes to keep alive the memories of early trail blazers.

    Following the organization of Igloo No.1 on February 20, 1907 in Nome, Igloo No. 2 on June 1907 in Candle, and Igloo No. 3 in St. Michael, the Igloos convened in Nome on August 4, 1908, and created the Grand Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska. 

    The purpose of the Grand Igloo was to unite Alaska’s Pioneers in a permanent organization.  The object, quoting its Constitution, is to “preserve the names of all of Alaska’s pioneers on its rolls; to collect and preserve the literature and incidents of Alaska’s history, and to promote the best interests of Alaska.”

    This group was not the only of its kind in the North.  Perhaps the first was the “Sons of the Northwest” established in Sitka in March 1887.  The Sitka club remained local and did not spread to other communities. 

    Others that may be considered local in nature were the “Order of the Alaska Moose,” no connection to the “Loyal Order of Moose,” which originated in Valdez in 1899; the “Alaska Pioneers” of Kodiak; and the “87 Pioneers Association” of Juneau. 

    More widespread were the “Yukon Order of Pioneers” formed in Forty-Mile, Yukon Territory, Canada, in the 1930s.  This group migrated to Alaska with the followers of gold strikes. 

   Perhaps the most widespread and unique organization was formed aboard the Steamship “City of Seattle” en route from Seattle to Skagway in February 1899.  It was called the “Arctic Brotherhood.”

    Because of the number of similar orders in Alaska and the Northwest the adoption of the Latin phrase “Ecce Nuvum Astrum” for use on its logo by the Grand Igloo is understandable.  Translation: “Behold the New Star.”

    Fairbanks Igloo No. 4 was granted a charter in 1909 joining the ever-expanding and growing organization of the Pioneers of Alaska. 

    There have been 35 Igloo charters conferred since the beginning, rising and falling with the population centers.  17 are active today. 

    Nome Auxiliary No. 1 was given the first auxiliary charter in 1912, since that time there have been 19 Auxiliary charters of which 17 are still active.  In 2007 the Auxiliaries were re-named Women’s Igloos and retained their Auxiliary numbers.