Members of Language Advisory Coucil announced

It's official! Today Governor Parnell announced five new appointments to the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. These appointments follow the passage in May of SB130 creating the new council and usher in a new era for Alaska Native languages. Not only do Native languages now have a voice at the statewide level, that voice is given to Native language experts from across the state. The initial members are:

• Walkie Charles, Assistant Professor of Yup'ik, University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Delores Churchill, University of Alaska Southeast
• April Laktonen-Counceller, Assistant Professor of Alutiiq Language and Culture, Kodiak College
• Bernadette Yaayuk Alvanna-Stimpfle, Director, Eskimo Heritage Program, Kawerak, Inc.
• Annette Evans-Smith, President and CEO, Alaska Native Heritage Center

 More complete bios of the new members are posted with the Governor's press release. This is an impressive group, with a wide range of professional and practical language experience. These appointees bring solid knowledge not only of the current Alaska Native language situation but also of just what it will take to continue the current momentum behind the resurgent language efforts in Alaska.