UAS Professor X̱’unei Lance Twitchell Nominated for Emmy Award

Dr. Twitchell is a writer and advisor for the animated PBS Kids program Molly of Denali, nominated by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for the third annual Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: January 16, 2025

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) proudly announces that Professor X̱’unei Lance Twitchell has been nominated for an Emmy award. Dr. Twitchell is a writer and advisor for the animated PBS Kids program Molly of Denali, nominated by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for the third annual Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards. The awards ceremonies are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on March 15, 2025. Molly of Denali is the first nationally-distributed children’s show in the United States to feature a lead character who is Alaska Native.

Twitchell remarked, “The Indigenous writers on Molly of Denali are the most talented, brave, and loving group of creatives I have ever had the honor to work with. We have collaborated with non-Indigenous writers and many different peoples in production and administrative capacities to continue to create Molly of Denali. It has been life-changing to see an Indigenous woman as the lead character in a national series that has global reach. The many legacies of generations of Indigenous storytellers flow through the hands of the Indigenous storytellers today, and it is wonderful to see that groups like the Emmy Awards and PBS are including Indigenous voices and stories. As Molly says, ‘Mahsi’choo, letʼs go!’”

Alison Staudinger, Interim Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, noted, "I couldn’t be more thrilled to see 'Molly of Denali' and Dr. Twitchell receive an Emmy nomination for such an important—and honestly, really fun—episode. Tackling the Native American mascot controversy in a way that is accessible for kids is no small feat, but this show does it with heart and basketball. It’s a great reminder of how storytelling can spark meaningful conversations and inspire change.”

X’unei Lance Twitchell, PhD, is a Professor of Alaska Native Languages, one pathway offered through UAS Indigenous Studies.