College of Indigenous Studies

Festival of Native Arts 2025: Remembering Our Past to Strengthen Our Future

The 2025 Festival of Native Arts will be held from February 27 to March 1 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Troth Yeddha' Campus. This year's theme, "Remembering Our Past to Strengthen Our Future," emphasizes the significance of cultural preservation and education through traditional Native dance, music, and arts.

Attendees can look forward to Indigenous dance and music performances, as well as complimentary workshops on topics such as beading, traditional food preparation, and Native languages. The festival will also feature exhibitions that highlight the heritage and artistry of Indigenous communities.

The arts and crafts fair, located in the UAF Fine Arts Building, will be open daily during the festival. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore and purchase handmade items, including jewelry, carvings, and traditional clothing, while engaging directly with artisans. Admission to the festival is free, making it a must-visit event for both locals and visitors in Fairbanks.

In keeping with the festival’s strong roots in student involvement, this year’s artwork features the talents of UAF students: Alana Moses, the 2025 Festival of Native Arts Booklet Cover Artist, and Naatanii Mayo, the 2025 Festival of Native Arts T-shirt Artist. Both are proud UAF students who bring their unique creative visions to life. Learn more about their work and creative processes by exploring their bios.

Since its inception in 1973 as a student-driven initiative, the Festival of Native Arts has continued to be organized and led by UAF Native students, reflecting their deep commitment to cultural pride and community involvement. For more information, please visit the official festival website.

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Save the Date!

Indigenous Immersion Luncheon Celebrates Culture, Community, and the Future Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Center

On January 31st, CIS faculty and staff hosted a heartfelt and flavorful celebration of Indigenous culture during the Indigenous Immersion Luncheon at the Harper Building. This special gathering honored Tracy Vanairsdale, president of Bettisworth North Architects and Planners Inc., and her team. She successfully bid on the luncheon at the UAF Blue & Gold Celebration auction last September, with proceeds from the auction helping to fund Alaska Native student scholarships.

The meal was a true collaborative effort, with faculty and staff preparing a variety of traditional dishes that showcased the rich flavors and recipes of Alaska Native foods. Attendees enjoyed a spread that included moose soup made by Interim Dean Teisha Simmons, baked salmon with onions and rice from Dr. Jessica Black, Associate Vice Chancellor, and berry spritzers and a charcuterie board featuring caribou pepperoni, summer sausage, brie, berries, and smoked salmon dip from Dr. Charlene Stern, Vice Chancellor. Pickled muktuk and salmon spread, contributed by Dr. Walkie Charles, Yup’ik Language Professor, added to the rich variety of flavors at the table. The meal concluded with desserts of blueberry delight and akutaq (Native ice cream). Many other traditional dishes were also shared, reflecting the diverse food traditions of our community.

The luncheon was also an opportunity to recognize the work and dedication of the Bettisworth North team, who collaborated on the design of the future Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Center, with construction slated to start this spring at UAF. In addition to the incredible meal, the gathering was also a time for storytelling and reflection. Dr. Walkie Charles shared a personal account of his difficult experience at the government boarding school in Wrangell, while Teisha Simmons recounted her mother’s journey through multiple boarding schools in Alaska, starting at the age of nine and not returning home until she was nineteen. Their stories underscored the deep significance of the new facility, which will serve as a welcoming and supportive space for Alaska Native students, especially those arriving in Fairbanks from remote villages.

The Bettisworth team, including Tracy Vanairsdale, expressed their appreciation for being part of such a meaningful experience. Tracy shared that designing the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Center is one of the most fulfilling projects of her career—an honor and a highlight.

The luncheon was filled with warmth, gratitude, and a shared commitment to creating a space that uplifts Indigenous students and celebrates their heritage. As the Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Center moves from vision to reality, this gathering served as a powerful reminder of the connections that make such projects possible.

Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley (1934–2011) was a pioneering Yup’ik scholar, educator, and advocate for Indigenous knowledge. Raised along the Kuskokwim River and later earning a degree from UAF in 1958, Kawagley dedicated his life to integrating traditional Yup’ik perspectives with Western education. His concept of “Native ways of knowing” helped bridge Indigenous and Western worldviews, influencing both academia and cultural education.

A professor at UAF, Kawagley co-authored groundbreaking work on Indigenous knowledge systems and was a leader in Alaska Native education. Beyond academia, he even had a career in film and television, acting in the television series Northern Exposure and voicing a character in Disney’s Brother Bear.

His work continues to shape the way Indigenous knowledge is understood and valued in education today.

Submission by the Fiscal and Grants Team

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Amanda Knighten for her incredible capabilities in handling CIS's purchasing needs and taking care of us all.

Did you know that CIS spends $4 million annually on contractual services, commodities, and equipment funded by over 80 different sources? The purchasing process for more than 95% of this spending is far more complex than simply filling out a Purchase Request and using a procard. Amanda's depth of knowledge, attention to detail, and high personal performance standards make her indispensable to our team. Amanda brings a positive and uplifting attitude to her work. She is a true cheerleader for her colleagues, managing a multitude of requests and questions every day with grace and enthusiasm.

Thank you, Amanda, for all that you do!

A Simple Thank You Echoes Across Alaska

quyanaq Iñupiaq

mahsi' Gwich'in

baasee' Koyukon

gunalchéesh Tlingit

Why Saying Thank You Matters in Alaska Native Languages

In Alaska Native cultures, expressing gratitude is more than good manners—it reflects deep values of respect, reciprocity, and connection. Saying thank you honors relationships, strengthens community, and acknowledges the sharing of knowledge and resources. It also plays a vital role in keeping Indigenous languages alive. Each time we say mahsi' we help preserve cultural traditions and show respect for Elders, land, and one another. A simple thank you truly goes a long way in Alaska.

Submission by Theresa Quiner, Kuskokwim Consortium Librarian

Frances and Rosie LOVE running on the tundra, rolling in mud, and competing with their mom to be the fastest berry picker.

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