Evening at Egan

The cancellation of cruise ships during Summer 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic provided an unprecedented opportunity to assess humpback whales in the near absence of whale-watching vessels near Juneau. Heidi Pearson will present her collaborative study with UAF and NOAA to assess humpback whale residency patterns and stress hormone levels during this unusual time.

The current disruptions to education have led to passionate conversations analyzing the status of the education system and student success across the state and the nation. This presents a unique opportunity for parallel conversations about the history of disruptions to Alaska Native education systems and their impacts. Mischa will share her perspective and understandings of the history of Alaska Native education as well as explore the power of acknowledgment. Focusing on its role as an inherent value of Indigenous communities, and the role it can play in school systems wanting to create space for our students to thrive.

Water is life. A familiar phrase frequently spoken today. We exist in water throughout our lives dependent on it from conception, until our last water vapor breath. Indigenous peoples around the world maintain an intricate relationship with water. It is considered to possess beinghood, with rights. This importance is reflected in traditional ecological knowledge, passed through the generations in oral traditions as creation stories. Lessons in that hold true even today, thousands of years after they were first spoken, because our human dependence on water has not changed. Science curriculum and western-based pedagogies within mainstream education systems do not reflect the true nature of Indigenous knowledge systems nor the deep connections Traditional knowledge systems have developed over thousands of years. The absence of this knowledge base can inadvertently communicate a deficit-based STEM identity, which can directly impact Native youths’ participation and engagement in STEM. Acknowledging the importance of students’ connection to place and incorporating that connection into STEM education provides a familiar and safe space for STEM learning, builds confidence in students STEM identity, and provides historical context for Traditional Knowledge systems.

Chalyee Éesh will speak about the interrelationships between tribes, corporations, and city, state and federal governments. He will discuss understanding tribal sovereignty and being good neighbors. He will also talk about how healthy tribes make healthy communities.

Markis will discuss why fisheries are important, especially in Alaska. He will provide a history of Alaskan fishery enhancement and aquaculture in Alaska.  An overview of mariculture will include information about species that are cultivated in Alaska, production numbers in Alaska and nationwide.  

Dr. Brower and Ms. Cadiente Brown will discuss their work with Southeast Alaskan leaders on the Alaska Native Success Initiative for UA. This project seeks to improve the participation and success of Alaska Natives through educational achievement statewide, as well as Alaska Native representation and success throughout the University of Alaska system. Pearl and Ronalda have led the UAS committee comprised of leaders from Alaska Native corporations, tribal entities, and other southeast organizations. Dr. Pearl Brower is the UA Senior Advisor for Alaska Native Success, Institutional Diversity, and Student Engagement.  Ronalda Cadiente Brown is the UAS Associate Vice Chancellor for Alaska Native Programs, as well as the Director of the PITAAS Program (Preparing Indigenous Teachers and Administrators for Alaska's Schools). 

Generational trauma is a well-known concept within trauma-informed care, a lesser-known concept, generational resilience is an important topic to add to the discussion. It must be, that for me to survive, even thrive beyond these traumas, I must also hold generational resilience deep within me. We will explore building, honoring, and uplifting resilience in students, while considering how generational resilience may be experienced within youth and their families.

The talk features:

• Robert Martin, IAIA President
• Felipe Colón, IAIA Academic Dean / Associate Professor of Museum Studies
• Kari Groven, SHI Art Director
• Carin Silkaitis, UAS Dean of Arts and Sciences / Professor of Humanities
• Robert Mills, Adjunct instructor of Northwest Coast Design

The presenters will speak about the vision behind the partnership, and opportunities that are currently available and in the works for people who wish to pursue a degree with Northwest Coast (NWC) Arts as their emphasis.

To give the audience a small taste of what is at the heart of the NWC Arts programming at SHI, UAS, and IAIA, a portion of the session will include a condensed sample introduction to formline-design presented by award winning artist and IAIA/UAS Adjunct instructor Robert Mills.

Related Links:

IAIA:

• Website: iaia.edu
• Admissions: iaia.edu/admissions
• To sign up for Newsletter, send a request to jason.ordaz@iaia.edu
  

SHI:

• Website: sealaskaheritage.org
• Facebook: facebook.com/SHInstitute
• To sign up for email Notifications, send a request to kathy.dye@sealaska.com

UAS:

• NWC Arts Web page:  uas.alaska.edu/nwc-art-degree
• Admissions: uas.alaska.edu/apply
• Partnership Article: uas.alaska.edu/about/press-releases/2019/190130-northwest-coast-arts-partnership-expansion.html

Robert Ganakw Mills:

• Website: robertkmills.com
• Public art Yaadachóon on the Juneau Waterfront - Click Here