APU president, Dr. Bob Onders stands with language students and teachers commemorating their successful completion of the language course.
Unangam Tunuu: language of the Aleut people, a people that have occupied Alaska for well over 10,000 years. With changes in populations there are less than about 90 fluent speakers of the traditional language out of the more than 6,000 Aleut in Alaska. Today, the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association (APIA) puts on a culture camp and a 12-week language class for enthusiasts who show an interest in Unangax culture and way of speaking. Students, ranging from 13 to college age, work from a curriculum that was in part developed by APU professors, to reward students for their accomplishments as well as helping one another learn from each other.
With few opportunities for a full language immersion left, APIA has worked with the “Where Are Your Keys” (WAYK) consultants to give young students full Unangam Tunuu immersion. As students develop they are given opportunities to help others as interns, often times as paid interns through their regional corporation, though students are allowed to join from all over the world.
Language student, “Nate” shows off the job board and projects students work on in language class.
Through a partnership with Alaska Pacific University, APIA announced that each graduate of APIA’s Unangam Tunuu language course will each receive 8 professional development credits of language through APU for completing the course.
For more information about the APIA culture camp and language class click here.
