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:
The Associate of Arts (AA) in Alaska Native Studies provides students with a critical and dynamic perspective on Alaska Native cultures, histories, politics and organizations. This AA provides a valuable opportunity for students interested in exploring their options in higher education and/or employment with an Alaska Native organization.
The Associate of Arts (AA) in Alaska Native Studies is also available as an online program through UAA.
Students may select from one of two areas to complete the requirements for the minor: a policy focus or language focus. Both of these areas emphasize the dynamic nature of Alaska Native cultures and the conflict between traditional Native values and those of the dominant Euro-American society. The Alaska Native Studies Minor provides a valuable enrichment to any UAA baccalaureate degree. A minimum of 19 credits is required for the minor, of which 6 credits must be upper division.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Ahtna Language Instruction prepares students for applying knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Ahtna Dene language and for teaching beginning Ahtna Language. Students who earn this certificate will be able to demonstrate a level of low intermediate speech ability and demonstrate proficiency in beginning Ahtna language instruction. The style of Ahtna taught in this program is Western and Central dialects.
The Certificate in Dena’ina Language Instruction prepares students for applying knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Dena’ina Dene language and for teaching beginning Dena’ina Language. Students who earn this certificate will be able to demonstrate a level of low intermediate speech ability and demonstrate proficiency in beginning Dena’ina language instruction. The style of Dena’ina taught in this program is Upper and Inland.
The Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) in Ahtna Language prepares students for learning knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Ahtna Dene language. Students who earn this OEC will be able to certify a level of low intermediate speech ability according to the guidelines of the Ahtna Dene Proficiency Guidelines scale through completion of an oral proficiency assessment. The style of Ahtna taught in this program is in Western and Central dialects.
The Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) in Dena’ina Language prepares students for learning knowledge, resources, and skills appropriate for a variety of entry-level jobs that use Ahtna Dene language. Students who earn this OEC will be able to certify a level of low intermediate speech ability according to the guidelines of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines scale through completion of an oral proficiency assessment. The style of Dena’ina taught in this program is Upper and Inland.
