James Kari receives Governor's Award for the Humanities

ANLC Professor Emeritus James Kari will receive the Governor's Award for the Humanities this coming October 22, in conjunction with the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. The award is given annually by the Alaska Humanities Forum, and final selections are made by Alaska's Governor.

Kari is well-known both in Alaska and beyond for his contributions to the documentation of Alaska Athabascan languages. He is the editor for the only two extant comprehensive dictionaries of Alaska Athabascan languages (Ahtna and Koyukon). And he has recorded, transcribed, and translated numerous volumes of oral narratives by Alaska's leading Alaska Native writers and orators. His passion for the documentation of indigenous place names has helped to preserve indigenous knowledge of the Alaskan landscape.

Congratulations Professor Kari!

Kari speaking with Dena'ina elder Mary Hobson in 2005

Kari discussing Ahtna geography in 2008