Tag: Alaska Native Culture

‘Reviving Tradition: Building an Ulux̂tax̂ Aleut Canoe in False Pass’ by ACSA Staff

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False Pass, or Isanax̂ as it is known in traditional Aleut, sits on the eastern of Unimak Island in the Aleutian Islands region of Alaska. This past spring a remarkable project unfolded in that blended tradition, education, and community spirit. Thanks to a grant from the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Community Development Association (APICDA), False Pass School welcomed two professional carpenters to lead a hands-on boat-building initiative. The goal? To construct an Ulux̂tax̂, a traditional two-person Aleut canoe, and in doing so, reconnect students and families with a vital piece of their cultural heritage. Continue reading ‘Reviving Tradition: Building an Ulux̂tax̂ Aleut Canoe in False Pass’ by ACSA Staff

‘The Alaska Arts Education Data Project’ by Sam Jordan

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It has been proven time and time again in countless studies that students who actively participate in arts education are twice as likely to read for pleasure, have strengthened problem-solving and critical thinking skills, are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, four times more likely to participate in a math and science fair. -Quincy Jones

In‬ 2023‬ the‬ National‬ Endowment‬ for‬ the‬ Arts‬ and‬ Alaska‬ State‬ Council‬ on‬ the‬ Arts‬ awarded‬ funds‬ to‬ the‬ Alaska‬ Arts‬ Education‬ Consortium‬ to‬ investigate‬ what‬ was‬ happening‬ with‬ arts‬ education in Alaska.‬ Since that time, a cross-sector team of Alaskans, including educators, artists, Alaska Native culture bearers, legislators and health officials, has been working to get to the heart of the question: Which students, where in Alaska, and how are students in Alaska’s public schools experiencing arts education?

Student self-portraits from across the Lower Kuskokwim School District, Bethel, AK

Continue reading ‘The Alaska Arts Education Data Project’ by Sam Jordan

‘Valdez High School Celebrates Native Alaska / Native American Heritage Month’ By Pamela Verfaillie

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On November 15th, the Valdez High School Library, in partnership with the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive and local Alaska Native elders and cultural ambassadors, hosted an Alaska Native Culture Appreciation Day to celebrate Native American / Native Alaskan Heritage Month. VHS Library Associate, Pamela Verfaillie, approached her principal, Peter Baksis, with the idea and was told “sure – go for it. I’ll support you.” So she did.

One Gilson Middle School student claimed this was “the best class I have ever taken”.

Continue reading ‘Valdez High School Celebrates Native Alaska / Native American Heritage Month’ By Pamela Verfaillie

‘An Extraordinarily Significant Undertaking that No One Else in this World is Capable of Doing’ by Peter Hawkins

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The CPQE Translation Team

Each school day at 1pm, four elders make their way up the ramp at Nuniwarmiut School. Upon entering the building, they turn right and walk past the pre-school room. They stop by the office to greet the secretary and the principal and make their way down the hallway past the junior high and high school classrooms where students and teachers are collaboratively working on learning. They enter the library/meeting room at the end of the hall. They close the door and install themselves around one of the large tables where there is a collection of notepads, pencils, erasers, dictionaries and snacks just as they left them the day before. They are soon focused together on an extraordinarily significant undertaking that no one else in this world is capable of doing. Continue reading ‘An Extraordinarily Significant Undertaking that No One Else in this World is Capable of Doing’ by Peter Hawkins

‘Cultural Exchange at the Heart of Teaching Success’ by Juvy Pamunag

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Uvlaalluataq! (Good morning in Iñupiaq)

Maayong Buntag! (Good morning in Bisaya)

Shungnak School is a culturally responsive institution where Iñupiaq language is present in everyday instruction.

Hi! My name is Juvy Magsanay Pamunag, a J1 teacher from the Philippines. I am from Mindanao region, and I speak Cebuano colloquially known as “Bisaya”. This is my 2nd year teaching in the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, and I teach ELA and Social Studies to grades 6 to 12 learners in Shungnak School. Continue reading ‘Cultural Exchange at the Heart of Teaching Success’ by Juvy Pamunag

‘Alaska Traditional Skills Curriculum Supports Culturally-Informed Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities’ by ASDN Staff

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Nova Picks a Fish graphic by Rain Van Den Berg, based on photo by Robyn Chaney. Cold Water Safety and Set Netting Unit.

As high school students with disabilities and their families start to plan for life after their K-12 school experience, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process requires that planning takes place to thoughtfully prepare for any needed supports and skill development to ensure that the transition to adult life is as successful as possible. Many Alaskan students and their families practice traditional Native Alaskan arts and subsistence skills, and a well-rounded transition plan should reflect those family activities alongside career and college readiness. Continue reading ‘Alaska Traditional Skills Curriculum Supports Culturally-Informed Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities’ by ASDN Staff

‘Slow Looking’ by Nancy Lehnhart at Juneau School District

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In my work as the Elementary Visual Art Specialist for the Juneau School District I have for years puzzled about art being an avenue for complex thinking for students. For the last six years, I’ve been very involved with a grant-funded PD project in the Juneau School District called Artful Teaching. We have a large cohort of teachers learning together through workshops and small collegiate study groups called “Art Labs.” We are exploring arts integration and culturally responsive teaching. One of the areas of learning for us has been through Project Zero Harvard and their Visible Thinking routines and practices. I’m experimenting all the time now with how to deepen thinking through art. The following shares a project around students’ school environments. 

Continue reading ‘Slow Looking’ by Nancy Lehnhart at Juneau School District

‘My Passion: Creating Educational Resources that Celebrate Alaska Native Culture and Language’ by Raquel Schroeder

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My name is Raquel Schroeder. I’m Bristol Bay Yup’ik and St. Lawrence Island Yupik with family ties in Bristol Bay and the Bering Strait. I’m a member of the Curyung Tribe and a Shareholder of the Bristol Bay Native Corporation.

I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska and graduated from high school in 2010. I went to Wenatchee Valley College in Washington State and Iḷisaġvik Tribal College in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, where I earned a certificate in Early Childhood Indigenous Education. In this program, I learned the importance of culturally-responsive practices and the need for preservation of Indigenous cultures and languages.

I developed an interest in creating projects with art, design and technology that focus on Alaska Native cultures, languages and land. This is important to me because, as a mother and educator, I found there aren’t many easily-accessible resources that reflect the beauty of Alaska’s land and Indigenous peoples. With a lack of resources that reflect students’ environments, it can be difficult for them to find identity in learning, which may lead to social and academic issues in the long run. My goal is to celebrate and represent every student in the educational resources I create. Continue reading ‘My Passion: Creating Educational Resources that Celebrate Alaska Native Culture and Language’ by Raquel Schroeder