The first TEDxSitka took place on July 21, 2012 with the theme of "Creativity Drives Social Change."

With the bankruptcy, in faith and function, of institutions that change society, more than ever before social change must come from people and the communities they constitute. TEDxSitka aims to share ideas relating to creativity – and the social change creativity creates. The event also hopes to be more than just discussion; TEDxSitka aims to highlight change in Sitka already created by Sitkans, and also use Sitka as a laboratory for ideas generated by TEDxSitka presenters and attendees.