College of Indigenous Studies

New Book Preserves Indigenous Knowledge Through Yup'ik Place Names of Iliamna Lake

Save the Date!

May 2 DANSRD Graduation Celebration | 6:30 PM | RSS Gathering Room and Virtual

May 3 UAF 103rd Commencement Ceremony | 1 PM | Carlson Center, Fairbanks

May 8 Kuskokwim Campus Commencement Ceremony | 3 PM | Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, Bethel

May 8 Northwest Campus Commencement Ceremony | 7 PM | Old Saint Joe's, Nome

May 10 Bristol Bay Commencement Ceremony | 2 PM | Dillingham Elementary School Gymnasium, Dillingham

May 14 Chukchi Campus Commencement Ceremony | 2 PM | Northwest Arctic Heritage Center, Kotzebue

May 27 Rural Alaska Honors Institute Kicks off its 43rd Summer

May 30 Application deadline for Change seed awards

Rural Nursing Programs Receive State of the Art Equipment Upgrades

Article was submitted in collaboration with Hugh Dyment, Kacey Miller, and Keri Baker.

With a statewide shortage of nurses and a continued high dependence on out-of-state contracts, UAF’s Chukchi, Northwest, Kuskokwim, and Bristol Bay Campuses have partnered with regional health corporations and UAA’s School of Nursing to meet local workforce needs.

Often referred to as a “Growing Our Own” initiative, the rural nursing program has been active for nearly 15 years. It offers a meaningful pathway for local residents to earn a registered nursing license and step directly into jobs with their regional health corporation. Thanks to UAF’s strong distance delivery options, the support of rural advisors in the College of Indigenous Studies, and the guidance of UAA nursing faculty at local campuses, students can complete prerequisites online and transition smoothly into the two-year UAA Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing program, hosted right in their community. It’s a successful career pipeline—one that has helped reduce reliance on out-of-state nurses, with more than 65 rural students earning their AAS in Nursing over the years.

Recently, the UAA School of Nursing invested in medium-fidelity training mannequins for each rural training site, giving students access to high-tech simulation equipment on par with what’s available at the UAA Anchorage campus. These tools enhance the hands-on experience and skill development critical for future nurses.

The rural nursing programs aim to admit new student cohorts each year into the AAS Nursing program. Students can also take advantage of various funding opportunities through the Recruitment & Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN) Program, the Alaska Health Education Center (AHEC), Indian Health Services, and support from regional health corporations and local funding entities.

The rural nursing programs continue to grow with strong collaboration between UAF rural campuses, regional health corporations, and UAA’s School of Nursing. Support for students includes academic advising through the College of Indigenous Studies, access to hands-on training at local campuses, and funding opportunities through several statewide and regional partners.

Learn more:

UAF Rural Campus Student Support: https://www.uaf.edu/rural/for-students/advising.php
UAA School of Nursing – AAS in Nursing Admissions: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-health/departments/school-of-nursing/admissions.cshtml
RRANN – Recruiting Alaska Native Nurses: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-health/departments/school-of-nursing/rrann.cshtml

Finding Voice Through Writing: Summer Courses at IAC

Spotlight on Developmental Writing at the Interior Alaska Campus. We all have a story to tell.

Assistant Professor of Developmental Writing, Katie Lubowicki, is helping rural students across Alaska find their voice through two transformative writing courses offered this summer at the Interior Alaska Campus.

In WRTG F110 and WRTG F111X, students are encouraged to reflect on their lives and share their stories. Writing can feel intimidating, especially when it’s personal, but having someone who listens and helps the story unfold makes all the difference. That’s exactly what students will find in Assistant Professor Lubowicki and writing tutor Nadia Anders, who are both committed to supporting students every step of the way.

WRTG F110 focuses on preparing students with essential college writing skills, including research, revision, and critical reading, laying the foundation for success in WRTG F111. In WRTG F111, students build on these skills and learn to respond effectively to different writing situations in academic contexts.

These courses are not just writing classes—they’re opportunities for students to build confidence, practice storytelling, and strengthen the skills that support success in college and beyond. This value is clearly reflected in the writing of Heather Kanuk, who took WRTG F111 this spring and shared her reflections in a moving piece titled “Precious Memories.” Her story is featured in the Student Highlight section of this newsletter.

This summer at the Interior Alaska Campus, students can enroll in WRTG F110 and WRTG F111X, both 3-credit courses offered from May 19 to June 27, 2025.

Naknek Hosts 17th Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference

Article and photos by Tav Ammu, Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program Agent & Assistant Professor at UAF

From April 15–17, the communities of Naknek and King Salmon were buzzing with science talks, shared meals, and storytelling during the 17th annual Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC). Originally created by UAF Bristol Bay Campus faculty member Todd Radenbaugh, WAISC was born out of a desire to bring science conferences directly to the communities of Western Alaska—places that don’t often get to host such events.

In 2024, WAISC was held in Nome, led by Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program Agent Gay Sheffield. This year, it returned to Naknek, hosted at the Naknek Native Village Council, and we were honored to have Adelheid Herrmann as the keynote speaker. Adelheid, a co-investigator at the UAF Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, also grew up in Naknek. Her keynote was a deeply personal reflection on the conference theme, "Sustaining the Past While Advancing the Future," and her lived experience gave powerful meaning to that message.

WAISC presentations are fast-paced—each speaker has just 15 minutes—so we dive straight into the heart of the research and discussion. But it’s not just about the science. The conference also included local field trips—a driving tour of the town, a visit to the museum and historical society, Native craft workshops, and more. In the evenings, we gathered around a bonfire and shared a community potluck to wrap up the final day. Whether sitting at a table or walking through town, attendees and community members had the chance to connect, swap stories, share laughs, and build relationships in a welcoming and engaging space.

Special thanks to the planning committee, session chairs, the Naknek Native Village Council, and the Bristol Bay Campus for their support in making this event a success. Their efforts help ensure that science, research, and knowledge continue to flow freely between communities, local organizations, and universities throughout Western Alaska.

Stay tuned—WAISC may be coming to a Western Alaska community near you next year!

Linguist Anna Berge publishes Grammar of Kodiak Alutiiq

Anna Berge, Professor of Linguistics at the Alaska Native Language Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has completed an extraordinary linguistic achievement: Grammar of Kodiak Alutiiq, a 747-page volume that provides the most comprehensive description of the language to date.

This landmark work includes detailed analyses of syllable structure and prosody, complete noun and verb paradigms for learners, and in-depth coverage of syntax, semantics, and discourse. It draws from decades of research and documentation, including unpublished narrative texts from Alutiiq Elders gathered by Irene Reed, Jeff Leer, April Counceller, and Dehrich Schmidt-Chya, as well as Berge’s own original research. Where Kodiak Alutiiq materials were unavailable, she supplemented with examples from related dialects.

Published by the Alaska Native Language Center, Grammar of Kodiak Alutiiq is available for purchase through the ANLC bookstore in paperback for $80.

Berge has worked at the Alaska Native Language Center since 2001 and has documented Inuit-Yup'ik-Unangax languages since 1991. She is recognized internationally for her expertise on the development of Eskaleut languages and prehistoric language contact across the Bering Sea and Pacific Coast.

This publication marks a significant step in preserving and revitalizing Alutiiq, supporting language learners and scholars alike.

Native Hoops Scores Big with Help from Rural Development Course

This spring, Destiny Reimers—co-founder of Native Hoops—developed a financial forecast and business plan during the Rural Development course RD F630: Economic Development & Entrepreneurship taught by Assistant Professor Jennifer Adams, MBA. Professor Adams, a faculty member in the College of Indigenous Studies, designed the course to guide students through launching and growing ventures that benefit their communities. Destiny shared:

"I really loved how RD F630 has helped me shape my Native Hoops business into a reality. It helped break down my business into how we can start up and expand throughout Alaska."

Native Hoops is an Alaska Native and woman-owned business offering basketball camps to rural Alaska communities. Founded by two resilient Native Alaskan women—Pearle Green and Destiny Reimers—Native Hoops is dedicated to empowering Native youth to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. As former collegiate basketball players at the University of Alaska, Pearle and Destiny provide powerful mentorship grounded in both athletic and academic success.

What sets Native Hoops apart is its integration of basketball training with Alaska Native culture. The founders often invite local Elders and culture bearers to take part in the camps, creating a meaningful space where youth can strengthen their skills, connect with culture, and see real-life examples of Native success.

More than a sports camp, Native Hoops is a transformative experience. For many participants, it’s the first time they’ve seen someone who looks like them thrive in college and in sports. The message is clear: it’s not just about basketball—it’s about leadership, identity, and believing in yourself.

If your community is interested in hosting a Native Hoops camp, reach out through their Facebook page: Native Hoops.

Smithsonian Project Highlights Alaska Native Knowledge in Classrooms

Photo from Smithsonian magaziine: Alaska Native field researchers Laura Zimin and Stevi Anagasan document and harvest rare “purple” taperrnat (Yup’ik word for beach wildrye) at Platinum, Alaska in October 2024.

At the heart of the Smithsonian’s new culturally responsive science initiative is a partnership in Alaska that uplifts Indigenous knowledge and local educators. One key contributor is Laura Zimin, M.A. (Alutiiq), Assistant Professor at the UAF College of Indigenous Studies – Bristol Bay Campus. Zimin played a lead role in organizing a workshop in Dillingham that brought together Yup’ik Elders, scientists, and teachers to explore traditional weaving techniques using beach wildrye grass.

These hands-on lessons do more than teach skills—they help students connect to their cultural heritage while engaging with science in a meaningful, community-rooted way. By integrating Native knowledge into K–12 classrooms, the project empowers youth and supports culturally relevant learning in rural Alaska.

Read more at the link to the Smithsonian Magazine article.

New Book Preserves Indigenous Knowledge Through Yup'ik Place Names of Iliamna Lake

The Alaska Native Language Center is proud to announce the publication of "Nanvarpagmiut Qanemciit-llu: Iliamna Lake People and Their Stories: Place Names and Sense of Place" by Dr. Yoko Kugo, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies at the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies.

This significant work compiles Yup'ik and contemporary English place names from Iliamna Lake communities in southwest Alaska, featuring Elders' conversations, recollections, colored photographs, maps, and local stories associated with places around the lake.

Dr. Kugo, who earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on ethnogeography from UAF in 2021, developed this book from her dissertation research, "Iliamna Lake Ethnogeography: Yup'ik Place Names and Sense of Place."

"I collected place names data using a community-based participatory approach, which means I spoke to 20 Yup'ik speakers and local knowledge holders through interviews and participating in community activities," Dr. Kugo explained in an interview with the Arctic Data Center.

A pivotal moment in her research was the Iliamna Lake Place Names Workshop in May 2018, which brought together 20 Elders from five communities (Iliamna, Newhalen, Kokhanok, Igiugig, and Levelock).

"It was an emotional gathering – the Elders spoke about how they knew about the places through their families or local travel routes, as well as their memories, histories, and family stories of those places, with some being moved to tears," Dr. Kugo recounted. "These are not just place names to them – they are part of the rich history of the land and the communities."

"Nanvarpagmiut Qanemciit-llu Iliamna” is now available for sale through the Alaska Native Language Center Bookstore for $40.

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