Elders are involved in all RHS service areas around the state

Elders have guided RHS since its beginning.

Rural Human Service Program's unique teaching model includes Alaska Native traditional values, principles and cultural learning styles..
Set the classroom atmosphere - just their presence in the room has a calming effect on the students. They also offer encouragement, gentleness, laughter, nurturing, comforting and a feeling of safety, security and peacefulness.
Deepen the learning experience - by offering their perspectives, they deepen understanding and provide a broader view.
Expand teaching methods - by using stories, songs, ceremony explanations and demonstrations, and by sharing personal life experiences.

Conceived of the Rural Human Service Programs unique teaching model that uses Alaska Native traditional values, principles and cultural learning styles.
Plan sessions for individual RHS classes, along with the instructors and the RHS coordinator for the service area.
Set the classroom atmosphere - just their presence in the room has a calming effect on the students. They also offer encouragement, gentleness, laughter, nurturing, comforting and a feeling of safety, security and peacefulness.
Deepen the learning experience - by offering their perspectives, they deepen understanding and provide a broader view.
Expand teaching methods - by using stories, songs, ceremony explanations and demonstrations, and by sharing personal life experiences.

Elders and instructors meet to discuss lesson plans for the next day, and use song and traditional drumming to clarify a preception or deepen student understanding.

General Information

Regional Programs

Interior-Aleutians Campus - Fairbanks
Kuskokwim Campus - Bethel
Chukchi Campus - Kotzebue

Interested and Current Students

What's next for RHS Graduates

Rural Human Services

Viewing PDFs requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, click the icon below to download Acrobat Reader.