Alaska’s Language Center Is Closing – What That Means for Native Voices

The Alaska Native Language Center, which has served the state for more than half a century, will shut its doors this summer. The decision follows a shift in the University of Alaska’s budget priorities and signals a change in how state resources are allocated to Indigenous language work.

A Legacy of Mapping and Research

• The center’s most recognizable symbol is its colorful map that illustrates where Alaska’s native languages are spoken.
• This map is more than a decorative piece; it represents years of research by center staff working closely with speakers from the far north to the south.
• Creating a map for languages is tricky because boundaries are not fixed like rivers, yet the center’s expertise made it possible to produce a reliable visual guide that has been updated many times since 1974.

Publications and Educational Impact

• Dictionaries, storybooks, and audio recordings have been produced at low cost and shared widely.
• Thousands of students took language courses offered by the center, many of whom later became teachers and program leaders in their own communities.

Historical Context

• The idea for the center came from a progressive state legislature that recognized Alaska’s unique linguistic heritage.
• In 1972, a bill created the center to study native languages, develop learning tools, and train teachers.
• This move followed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and marked a turning point in state language policy, allowing native languages to be taught in schools after decades of suppression.

Linguistic Diversity in Alaska

• Alaska is home to remarkable linguistic diversity, including two major language families: Inuit‑Yupik‑Unangan and Dene.
• The people who speak these languages, along with their descendants, have shaped the state’s identity for centuries.
• They deserve continued support and recognition.