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Why choose the College of Indigenous Studies?
Our commitment to Alaska Native languages
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is committed to preserving, documenting and teaching Alaska’s Indigenous languages. The Alaska Native Language Center, a critical component of the College of Indigenous Studies, was established by the Alaska Legislature in 1972 and is at the core of UAF's commitment. As specified by statute, the ANLC mission is to:
- study languages native to Alaska;
- develop literacy materials;
- assist in the translation of important documents;
- provide for the development and dissemination of Alaska Native literature; and
- train Alaska Native language speakers to work as teachers and aides in bilingual classrooms.
The Alaska Native Language Center is home to five full-time faculty members and three staff members, the Alaska Native Language Archive and a publications office with a dedicated editorial board. The ANLC team is active in academic and community-based research and teaching.
Learning rooted in community.
We offer academic programs designed to serve Indigenous communities and build a new generation of leaders. Our programs are grounded in these communities and the challenges they face.
Who We Are
Faculty Spotlight: Sally Samson, Assistant Professor of Yup’ik Language
“I am also learning more about my culture while I teach.”
A Teacher Grounded in Experience and Responsibility
Sally brings deep experience and cultural grounding to her work at the College of Indigenous Studies (CIS) Kuskokwim Campus (KuC). Before joining KuC, she taught at Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Immersion School, where she refined her approach to second language instruction and immersion pedagogy. Her graduate work with Dr. Sabine Siekmann, Dr. Joan Parker Webster, and Dr. Patrick Marlow strengthened her skills as a researcher and deepened her commitment to advocating for Yugtun at a time when the language is in a state of emergency.
A saying shared by her colleague Rachel Nicholai of Napaskiak guides her work: Calirpaggaarpeknak camek unangengaituten - you will not gain anything without working hard for it.
Sally carries this reminder into her teaching, advocacy, and community engagement. “We must continually work hard to maintain our language and culture and to put it back in our youths’ mouths,” she says. “I find strength and healing in the work that I do at UAF, and I am thankful that I can do my part for Yugtun.” Her dedication, humility, and unwavering commitment to her students and community make Sally Samson a vital leader in Yugtun language revitalization and a deeply appreciated member of the College of Indigenous Studies.
Faculty Spotlight: Bruce Ervin, Assistant Professor of Language and Culture
“When students smile, laugh, and ask questions, I see the healing that happens through learning."
Carrying Nee’aanèegn’ Forward
Bruce Ervin finds his greatest motivation in the moments when students reconnect with their culture, whether they’re learning their first words of Nee’aanèegn’ (Upper Tanana Language) or experiencing the wellness and joy that come from Applied Arts (APAR) classes such as birch bark weaving, beading, and caribou‑hair tufting.
Bruce began studying Nee’aanèegn’ as a UAF student, using materials from the Alaska Native Language Archive and learning from family, community members, and Elders. After graduating in 2020 and working with Tanana Chiefs Conference, he returned to UAF to teach at the Alaska Native Language Center within the College of Indigenous Studies. He created new classes and learning materials to support beginning speakers of a language with fewer than 50 fluent speakers remaining.
He continues to expand his teaching abilities, is part of the Doyon Languages Education Teacher Cohort, and is preparing to collaborate with Upper Tanana communities to support K–12 teachers who want to bring Nee’aanèegn’ into their classrooms.
For Bruce, the word Nee’aanèegn’, Our Language, captures the heart of his work. “It truly is our language and who we are as Upper Tanana Dene,” he says. “I’m thankful that I can do my part at UAF to help keep it strong for future generations.”
Meet our Faculty
Meet our Students
Stay Connected
52nd annual Festival of Native Arts returns to UAF Feb. 26-28
February 17, 2026
The 52nd annual Festival of Native Arts will return to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Troth Yeddha' Campus from Feb. 26-28. The festival will feature three evenings of performances, cultural workshops and an artisan marketplace. All events are free and open to the public.
Mellon Foundation Troth Yeddha' Collective Fellowship recipients
November 21, 2025
The UAF Graduate School is honored to recognize seven Ph.D. students selected for the Mellon Dissertation Fellowship. These fellows are established UAF Ph.D. students whose work centers Indigenous knowledge in the arts and humanities, builds transdisciplinary connections, and responds to community needs through university-based research.
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Inaugural cohort of LIFE Scholars announced
October 16, 2025
The University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Indigenous Studies has selected the inaugural cohort of the Leaders in Indigenous Food and Energy Scholars Program. This prestigious program is designed to support and cultivate emerging and current leaders in Alaska's Indigenous food and energy systems.
UAF to host Indigenous Peoples Day events Oct. 13
October 08, 2025
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with several events and activities on Monday, Oct. 13.
Rural Alaska Honors Institute will celebrate 43rd graduation
July 07, 2025
The Rural Alaska Honors Institute will hold its 43rd annual graduation July 10 at 1 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Troth Yeddha' Campus. The ceremony will stream live on Facebook.