UAF GATHERING OF WISDOM KEEPERS PAYS TRIBUTE TO ALASKA NATIVE HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2001
Fairbanks, Alaska –For the first time in the University of Alaska’s history, Alaska Native honorary degree recipients from around the state will come together for a Gathering of Wisdom Keepers.
More than 30 Alaska Native leaders have been recognized by the UA system for their contributions to the people of Alaska since the university began conferring honorary doctorates in 1932. Of the group of Alaska Native honorees, 19 are still living and have been invited to share their wisdom during the day-long event.
The gathering will take place on May 4, 2001 from 8 a.m. — 6 p.m. at Skarland Hall on the Fairbanks campus.
"In sharing, wisdom is preserved; that’s the thought behind getting all of the recipients together in one location, said JoAnn Ducharme, Director of Rural Student Services at UAF. "The Fairbanks campus seemed the perfect place to do it since it was a traditional gathering place for Interior Alaska Natives," according to the oral history of Athabascan Chief Peter John.
John, who’s believed to be around 100-years-old, received an honorary degree from UAF in 1994. He and others have been asked to share various philosophies and perspectives of cultural changes over the past two decades.
"The importance of getting this group together was apparent from the beginning, but really hit home when Inupiaq Elder Harold Kaveolook died in October followed by Tlingit Elder Joseph Kahklen in March," said UAF Alaska Natives Studies Chair Phyllis Fast.
Kaveolook received an honorary doctorate of education in 1987; Kahklen received an honorary degree in humanities in 1985.
"We realized very quickly the importance of having this esteemed group together," said Fast, who is also one of the coordinators of the event. "This vast knowledge base is disappearing before our eyes and although each of these scholars has left their legacies in written form, we still have much to gain from them in person."
The organizers also felt there might be a correlation between the philosophy of the day and the selection of recipients, so they organized the assemblage into corresponding decades. For instance, younger political leaders like former legislator Willie Hensley and First Alaskans Foundation CEO Byron Mallott received their degrees in the 1980s. The political landscape brought rapid changes to Alaska Native culture after statehood including the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the formation of Native corporations. Later, the focus seemed to be more on the preservation of Alaska Native culture and heritage.
"It will be interesting to hear from the honorary degree recipients from their perspective on the past 20 years," Fast said.
Honorary degree recipients are nominated by community members and selected for significant achievements that have brought distinction to their academic or professional careers, and for their lasting contributions to the state and the nation.
"We hope to bring awareness to the nominating process in general," said Fast. "There needs to be more awareness about how easy it is to put forward a nomination and the importance of recognizing the contributions of all Alaska Native groups."
The organizers have compiled a program that includes instructions on how to nominate someone for an honorary degree. It also contains short biographical information on each recipient.
UA President Mark Hamilton and UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind will open the program at 9 a.m. Friday, May 4. The program includes: prayers and comments from Chief Peter John, traditional leader of the Athabascan people, UA Regent Mary Jane Fate, 1992 honorary degree recipient and traditional Native dancing.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: A complete list of honorary degree recipients along with biographical information is available upon request.
CONTACT: UAF Rural Student Services Director, JoAnn Ducharme at (907) 474-7871 or Chair of UAF Alaska Native Studies department, Phyllis Fast at (907) 474-6604.
CJB/04-30-01/01-067