Alaska Native Language - PowerPoint Presentation

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Alaska Native Language

Preservation & Advisory Council

“…

to advocate for the survival

and

revitalization of Alaska Native languages

…”Slide2

Mission & Purpose

Statutory Purpose

:

“…to

provide recommendations and advice to both the

Governor and Legislature

on programs, policies, and projects; and to network and advocate in support of the Council’s mission.”

Mission: The mission of the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council is to advocate for the survival and revitalization of Alaska Native languages through collaboration and sharing for all.

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ANLPAC MembersRep. Benjamin Nageak,

IñupiaqNon-voting Legislative memberFormer North Slope Borough MayorSen. Donny Olson, Inupiaq

Non-voting Legislative member

Inupiaq from

Golovin

, co-sponsored

bill forming the Council

Annette Evans Smith, Alutiiq, Athabascan

, Yup’ik

Chair, 2013-Present

Alaska Native Heritage Center,President and CEO in AnchorageWalkie Charles, Ph.D., Yup’ikInaugural Chair (2012-2013)Assistant Professor of Yup’ik Eskimo atthe University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).

Delores Churchhill, HaidaElder from Ketchikan. She received anhonorary Doctorate of Humanities from UAS, and National Heritage FellowshipAward by the National Endowment for the ArtsB. Yaayuk Alvanna-Stimpfle, InupiaqKing Island Inupiaq, of Nome, AK Kawerak Inc. Eskimo Heritage Program DirectorFormer educator, K-6, Inupiaq and ESLApril Counceller, Ph.D., Alutiiq Vice-Chair, 2012-PresentExecutive Director of the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation (Alutiiq Museum)

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1

st Report, 20144

ANLPAC required by statute to submit report to Governor & Legislature on even-numbered years

Findings

Recommendations

Report developed from two years of public testimony, deliberation, research, statewide survey, partnerships

2014 focus on small, achievable steps to build upon

http://commerce.alaska.gov/dnn/Portals/4/pub/

ANLPACReport.pdfSlide5

Findings & Recommendations

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Information Scarcity

Research Data Lacking

Existing speaker number info outdated, changing

Speaker numbers alone insufficient

Info needed on successful methods & programs

Recommendation:

Research Language

Status and Effective Programs Knowledge Gaps

Individuals & families often unaware of opportunities and effortsLittle knowledge of Native language learning/preservation benefits

Recommendation:

I

nformation Awareness Campaign6Slide7

Regional Disparities

Vast Program Differences

Exist

Between

Regions

Existing programs and planning efforts are drastically different statewide

Regionally-coordinated efforts are scarce

Information sharing is limited, insufficient

transportation, geography, infrastructureExisting opportunities (AFN, Native Studies Conference) are overshadowed by other discussions

Recommendation

:

Collaboration and Connectivity Regular statewide summit on AK Native languagesOnline Database7Slide8

Education

Policy Improvements needed to support language education in schoolsWhole families must be included in language effortsNo language teacher certification program existsEducational expectations varied and extensive, will take time.

Little-known statute, AS 14.30.420 (2000) requires a Language Advisory Board if school district is majority Native. District can initiate Native Lang. Curricula if recommended

5 of 28 districts in compliance

Additional 13 have curriculum but no Board

F

ew aware of requirements

Recommendation: Research Expansion of Alaska Statute 14.30.420

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Existing

Statute Regarding

Language

Curricula Slide9

Reconciliation

Statewide language survey and public testimony (2013 – 2014) documented widespread grief,

shame

, and anger about

language

loss and cultural

erosion in every region of Alaska.Language loss is central to intergenerational trauma, but Language education can be a means of healingreduction in risk behaviors, suicide

increased academic performance & graduation ratesRecommendation: Foster an Environment of Reconciliation and HealingState Holiday for Native Languages

Native Language Place NamesContinued Collection of Testimony

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Continued Need

for ReconciliationSlide10

ANLPAC Contacts

Roy Mitchell, Research Analyst ANLPAC State of Alaska550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1640, Anchorage, AK  99501

Email:

roy.mitchell@alaska.gov

Phn

: 907-269-3646Melissa Taylor, Div. Operations Manager

Division of Community and Regional Affairs550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1640, Anchorage, AK  99501Phn: 907.269.4540

Email: anlpac@alaska.gov Chair Annette Evans-Smith:

aes@alaskanative.net

Vice-Chair April

Counceller: april@alutiiqmuseum.org10