University of Alaska recognizes need to support Native language

Over the past several months the University of Alaska has been developing a strategic plan to guide its activities for the next five years. As part of this process UA has held listening sessions across the state, attempting to gauge just how the university can better serve the needs of Alaskans. The latest Strategic Direction update, released May 15, poses the question of what the university can do to address Alaska Native concerns. Language figures prominently. The following comment is particularly significant:

"UA is in a great position to support language revitalization by offering incentives for Native students to be a part of that process."

As was made clear by the recent passage of SB 130, creating the Alaska Native Languages Preservation and Advisory Council, we are now entering a new era for native languages. The number of fluent speakers continues to decline, and the middle generations--most affected by boarding school anti-language policies--are quickly becoming elders themselves. But a new generation of inspired young people has come to the fore with a passion for revitalizing Native languages. The university could do much to support these efforts by helping to develop capacity. Programs such as Piciryaramta Elicungcallra--a collaboration between Lower Kuskokwim School District, Kuskokwim Campus, and UAF--are a step in the right direction. Hopefully, the new strategic plan for UA will embrace more such efforts.