Friday Focus: Our deepening commitment to Alaska Native languages
March 20, 2026
— By Teisha Simmons, College of Indigenous Studies dean
At UAF, we know our state is stronger and more vibrant because of the Alaska Native languages that have echoed across these lands for millennia. As someone currently on my own deeply personal journey of learning my traditional language, I know firsthand how vital this work is and recognize that learning our languages is not simply an academic exercise; it is a way of connecting to our ancestors, our cultures and one another.
Because I care deeply about the survival and everyday use of all our languages, I want to share how we support language teaching, research, and preservation, as well as how we are striving to expand learning opportunities in ways that are more accessible to community members.
Faculty and course offerings
Next academic year, the Alaska Native Language Center will have three full-time language-specific faculty members and one faculty member who teaches courses focused on language structure and history, language documentation and archive use. Several adjuncts expand the center's courses.
We currently offer Inupiaq, Yup'ik, Upper Tanana Athabascan, Gwich'in, Lower Tanana Athabascan and Akuzipik (St. Lawrence Island Yupik) courses. Additionally, we plan to offer an Unangam Tunuu course this fall.
UAF proudly recognizes that many language teachers are also actively advancing in their own language learning, and supports them as they teach while also learning. We recently invested in Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling training for our language teaching faculty to ensure they have access to the latest training in language instruction.
Research and archive access
Research can mean publishing academic papers and books. It can also mean community-based research, such as meeting with fluent speakers to document their language and to create learning materials from those meetings. At ANLC, there is room for both. We are proud to support both. For example, one of our professors' research includes extensive fieldwork. They are currently contributing to the development of the 30-chapter Oxford Handbook of Eskimo-Aleut Languages, and publishing articles and books, including 2024's "A Grammar of Kodiak Island Alutiiq." To ensure our research capacity remains strong, we employ a full-time proposal coordinator dedicated to securing grants. Just this month, we submitted a proposal to modernize the Alaska Native Language Archive in an effort to broaden public access to these invaluable resources.
Expanding access
Sometimes, the cost of taking a university language course can be a barrier for individuals who want to participate in language learning. We have heard clearly from community members that they want low-barrier options without heavy costs, homework or credit requirements. In an effort to reduce the barriers and increase access, we are planning low-cost and no-cost community workshops, which will be available via Zoom. These will focus on practical skills, like introducing oneself, traveling phrases and conversational topics parents can use at home with their children.
For traditional academic courses, part of ensuring access is offering distance and hybrid options. Some classes have been offered only in an “in-person” format, which often resulted in low enrollments (2 to 5 registered students). Adding an option for distance learning can increase enrollment, making for a better student experience, while increasing access to those interested in language learning throughout the state. This summer, UAF is also investing in making language learning more accessible to those who experience visual impairments.
Empowering K-12 educators
We are also hearing from many regional stakeholders that there is a need to support courses for K-12 teachers, many of whom play a critical role in language instruction. We are currently meeting with stakeholders in the Bethel and Upper Tanana regions, as they have expressed this need. Regional partners emphasize that supporting educators is critical to preventing a decrease in young speakers.
Our mission to preserve Alaska Native languages is an ongoing journey. By adapting to community needs, pursuing new funding, and prioritizing true accessibility, we are committed to ensuring these languages thrive for generations to come.
Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF's leadership team every week. On occasion, a guest writer is invited to contribute a column.