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Sealaska Corporation Supports Scholarships for Alaska Native Language Student Enrollment

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) announces a tuition scholarship offered in support from Sealaska Corporation for students enrolled in Spring 2021 Alaska Native Language courses.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: January 15, 2021

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) announces a tuition scholarship offered in support from Sealaska Corporation for students enrolled in Spring 2021 Alaska Native Language courses. Identified Indigenous languages of Southeast Alaska coursework includes beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses in Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian languages.

Dr. X̱'unei Lance Twitchell notes, “One of our beloved elders, Shaksháani Marge Dutson, once told us «hél daa sá a yáx koogei haa yoo x̱ʼatángi» which could be interpreted as ‘nothing measures up to our languages.’ At UAS, we want to make sure that we are actively removing barriers to language learning, and scholarship opportunities such as this open doors that create a brighter future for our previous and irreplaceable languages. We are committed to safe learning environments, and doing all we can to strengthen our languages and the bonds we have between one another.” Twitchell is an associate professor of Alaska Native languages at UAS.

Sealaska Corporation and Sealaska Heritage Institute, its’ non-profit organization, are ardent advocates of education. UAS welcomes this support on behalf of our students. Joe Nelson, Chair of Sealaska, said, “There isn’t anything more precious than our kids, our languages, and our way of life. That should be the center of everything.”

This scholarship is available to any student enrolled in UAS Spring 2021 Alaska Native Language courses. Scholarships are intended to support tuition expense for students not receiving other language scholarships. Fees associated with a course scholarship are the responsibility of the student.

To access this resource students must be registered for the course and sign a release of Information statement that allows the UAS Financial Aid office to complete the payment process. This form can be requested either by email at uas.finaid@alaska.edu or by calling (907) 796-6255.

Those interested but not yet registered can do so at alaska.edu/uaonline. Assistance with the process is available through the UAS Registrar’s Office by email at uas.registrar@alaska.edu or by calling (907) 796-6000.

Chancellor Karen Carey states, “This is such a wonderful opportunity for our students and to help keep our Alaska Native Languages alive. We sincerely appreciate the ongoing support of Sealaska Corporation and Sealaska Heritage Institute.”

Additional Resources

Press Release Contact

Keni Campbell
University of Alaska Southeast
(907) 796-6509
klcampbell4@alaska.edu