UAS Honors Local Educator with Honorary Doctorate of Education

UAS will honor Gooch Tláa/Kéet Tláa/Anne Johnson with an Honorary Doctor of Education degree this year.

Sitka, Alaska

Date of Press Release: April 30, 2024

Each year, with the approval of the University of Alaska Board of Regents, the University of Alaska Southeast uses the occasion of Commencement to recognize exceptional individuals in the community with honorary degrees. Honorary degrees are bestowed on individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the University, to the State of Alaska, and/or to the individual’s discipline or profession. UAS will honor Gooch Tláa/Kéet Tláa/Anne Johnson with an Honorary Doctor of Education degree this year.

Gooch Tláa/Anne Johnson is a cultural educator and culture bearer who has contributed to the education of the Sheet’ka (Sitka) community for over 40 years. In 1974, She was instrumental in bringing Lingít language and cultural education to local tribal youth and the Sitka Native Education Program (SNEP). Nearly 50 years later, Gooch Tláa/Anne Johnson is still serving on the Sitka Native Education Program staff. She has made extraordinary contributions as an educator and even now, in her 80s, she continues to assist with SNEP classes and summer family camps.

Current and future generations of Lingít speakers and culture bearers do and will continue to benefit from Gooch Tláa/Anne Johnson’s commitment to sharing her invaluable knowledge. According to one of her nominators, she “a cherished asset for our entire community”. UAS Chancellor, Aparna Palmer agrees, “It takes so much dedication to help save a language and a culture. Her sacrifices and her unwavering commitment are why we want to honor her.”

Gooch Tláa/Anne Johnson will be honored in person during the UAS Sitka Campus Commencement Ceremony on Friday May 3rd.