Cultural Programming
Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Work
Language is the expression of our culture and our land. We cannot have one without the others. We cannot describe our culture and our land if we do not have language.
(Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee, 2006 )
Bristol Bay
Indigenous Language
Strategic Plan
The Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Strategic Plan (BBILSP) aims to create a strategic, region-wide plan for revitalizing the Alutiiq, Dena’ina, and Yup’ik languages. The plan will outline long-term goals, guide program development, define project priorities, and establish methods for evaluating progress.
BBF in partnership with Raven’s Group are gathering input from parents, Elders, Tribes, community members, learners, and language teachers, LPSD, BBBSD, and school boards using various feedback methods. This information will be analyzed to shape the strategic plan.
We invite you to take a short survey to help guide language planning in the region. The survey asks about your experiences and preferences in learning or speaking your Alaska Native language. It takes 15-20 minutes. Your answers will be confidential. Your input is valuable, even if you’re not directly involved in language revitalization or education.
As a quyana, participants will be entered into a prize drawing for BBNC jackets and/or custom kuspaqs.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS
UPCOMING COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS
April 29th, 5:30-7:00 PM
Please register for the listening session at the link below
As a part of creating a strong, community-based plan for developing the Bristol Bay Indigenous Strategic Plan, we will be hosting virtual community listening sessions. It is one of many ways we are gathering input from Bristol Bay school districts, school boards, parents, Elders, Tribes, community members, language learners, and teachers. To ensure smooth sessions, please me aware that each will be capped at 50 participants. If you are unable to make these times, we will be re-opening listening sessions in fall of 2025.
The feedback collected will be studied and to create a region-wide strategic plan to support Indigenous language revitalization. This plan will help guide decisions about educational programs and resources. If you are Indigenous, a BBNC shareholder or descendent, or from the Bristol Bay Region, please join us.
Regardless of where you are at in your language journey, your voice is important, valuable, and needed!
When concluded, a printed report will be shared with all 32 Bristol Bay Tribes, 4 school districts (including LPSD and BBBSD), 21 schools, 2 University Extension Centers, 4 Head Start programs, the Bristol Bay Native Association, and the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. The report will be available on our website when complete.
April 30th, 5:30-7:00 PM
Please register for the listening session at the link below
May 1st, 12:00-1:30 PM
Please register for the listening session at the link below
May 2nd, 12:00-1:30 PM
Please register for the listening session at the link below
BBF Language Summit
The Bristol Bay Foundation, in partnership with other regional entities, hosts a Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Summit bi-annually. The Language Summit brings together Dena’ina, Yupiaq/Yup’ik, and Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Elders, speakers, teachers, and learners in Anchorage to connect, discuss, and support existing region-wide efforts in language revitalization. Participants discuss and reflect on welcoming and supportive learning environments (language agreements), language and cultural materials, archiving, language learning practices, observe demonstrations of proven language teaching methods, and learn about approaches to developing language teachers. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Stay tuned!
The next Summit will be held in spring of 2026.
Who: Bristol Bay Indigenous Language learners, teachers, and program administrators that are over the age of 18. Those under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Where: To Be Determined
To facilitate meaningful interactions and intimate group discussions, registration is limited. Some Elders and Youth may be eligible for scholarships for travel, food, and accommodations.
Kitaki!
Language Now: A Call to Reawaken, Connect, and Celebrate.
Sponsor the Summit.
With the invaluable guidance of our Elders, the enthusiasm of our students, and all the necessary resources within reach, backing the Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Summit stands as a crucial investment in safeguarding our cultural heritage. Your contribution will provide a platform, resources, and momentum required to ensure the enduring vitality of our languages for our future generations to come.
Please check out our Q-Give site which makes it quick and easy to donate!