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© 2019 Kenai Peninsula College. All rights reserved.
University of Alaska Anchorage

Alaska Native Studies

KPC currently offers the study of three Alaska Native languages, Dena'ina, Ahtna, and Yup'ik, co-taught with Native Elders.

Overview

Kenai Peninsula College has a long history of reviving Alaska Native languages, beginning with Professor Alan Boraas' work with the legendary Peter Kalifornsky (1911-1993), a self-taught writer and ethnographer of the Dene language of Dena'ina, to document and preserve the Dena'ina spoken language. 

Students are currently able to to complete an Associate of Arts in Alaska Native Studies or a minor in Alaska Native Studies at KPC. Courses are staggered between the fall and spring semesters so careful planning must be done to ensure required courses are all completed in the shortest time possible. Some courses are offered in video conference format making them available online to students who are not attending the Kenai River Campus.

Alaska Native language courses offered include:

  • Elementary Dena'ina Language I  (AKNS A101C)
  • Elementary Dena'ina Language II  (AKNS A102C)
  • Elementary Ahtna Language I  (AKNS A101C)
  • Elementary Ahtna Language II  (AKNS A102C)
  • Elementary Yup'ik Language I (AKNS A101A)
  • Elementary Yup'ik Language II (AKNS A101B)

Degrees/Certificates


Faculty

Dena'ina Faculty


  • Helen Dick
  • Joel Isaak
  • Andrea Ivanoff
  • Jennifer Williams

Ahtna Faculty


  • Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
  • Jessica Denny

Yup'ik Faculty


  • Lucy Daniels
  • Sassa Peterson

Alaska Native Studies Instructors


  • Tia Holley
  • Donita Slawson

Faculty Advisors

Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
Assistant Professor of Alaska Natives Studies
slshaginoffstuart@alaska.edu
(907) 786-6140
UAA - Main Campus
Social Sciences Building (SSB) 365
Adam Dunstan
Adam Dunstan
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
adunstan@alaska.edu
(907) 262-0345
UAA - Kenai Peninsula Campus


Academic Advisors

Soldotna and Greater Peninsula

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Emily Knight
Director of Academic Advising
eaknight@alaska.edu
(907) 262-0373
UAA - Kenai Peninsula Campus
Enid S. McLane Building (EMB) 279

Homer and Surrounding Area

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Nancy Johnson
Student Services Manager and Senior Academic Advisor
nejohnson2@alaska.edu
(907) 235-1655
UAA - Kenai Peninsula Campus
Pioneer Hall (KBPH) 110
 
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