The Office of Alaska Native Education and Outreach works to implement Alaska Native Success into the fabric of everything we do at UAA.

UAA is located in the ancestral homelands of the Dena'ina, Ahtna, Alutiiq/Sugpiak and Eyak/dAXunhyuu Peoples. Alaska Native academic programs at UAA provide courses, minors, certificates and degrees. Alaska Native student support programs provide centers for belonging across UAA.

Alaska Native Academic Programs

Alaska Native Studies — Anchorage Campus
Provides an in-depth perspective on contemporary Alaska Native societies, languages, cultures, history, politics, art, tribal governments and Alaska Native for-profit and non-profit corporations.

Alaska Native Studies — Kenai Peninsula College
KPC currently offers the study of three Alaska Native Languages, Dena'ina, Ahtna and Yup'ik, co-taught with Native Elders. Students can complete an Associate of Arts or a minor in Alaska Native Studies.

Alutiiq Studies — Kodiak College
Provides career preparation and professional development rooted in Alutiiq Culture and Values. Students can earn an Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) in Alutiiq Language or an Associate of Arts in Alaska Native Studies. These programs are ideal for individuals working in language programs, teachers, and employees in Tribes, Native Organizations and Native Corporations.

Alaska Native Art
Alaska Native Art classes focus on the history, skills, methodologies and traditions ingrained in Indigenous Alaskan Art. Students learn techniques for harvesting and preparing natural materials such as wood, bone and ivory for art making. The studio is well-equipped with both traditional and modern tools. Visiting Elders from all over Alaska present workshops to demonstrate techniques used in art-making that represent their cultural roots. Students are encouraged to explore both traditional and experimental practices to find their personal form of expression.

Alaska Native Business Management
Alaska Native Business Management certificate or minor prepares students who plan to live and work in Alaska. Learn about the history, culture and management of Alaska Native Organizations, created by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
The ICWA Occupational Endorsement Certificate prepares students for working with children and families in the child welfare system who are directly impacted by the provisions of ICWA. This program is a cross-college and cross-department collaboration between the Department of Alaska Native Studies in the UAA College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Human Services in the UAA College of Health.

Indigenizing Education
The Indigenizing Education Graduate Certificate will be offered by the School of Education starting in February 2025 and will prepare professionals working for systemic change in schools, educational programs, organizations and communities. Students will learn about Indigenous history and relationships, and identify approaches and strategies to Indigenizing systems and teachings based on Indigenous cultures, languages and views.  

Alaska Native Student Success Programs

Native Student Services (NSS)
NSS provides a safe, affirming space on campus for Alaska Native, Native American and Indigenous students. It is a gathering place where incoming and current students can find academic, advising, and cultural support; access resources; study with classmates; attend culturally empowering events, connect with community representatives; and interact with people who share similar experiences as Indigenous Peoples.

Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP)
ANSEP’s objective is to effect systemic change in the hiring patterns of Alaska Natives in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and business by placing our students on a career path to leadership. ANSEP’s goal is to provide an excellent education and a life of unlimited possibilities for every Alaskan. ANSEP has evolved into a sequential education model that provides a continuous string of components beginning with students in kindergarten and continuing through middle and high school, into STEM and business undergraduate and graduate degree programs through to the PhD.

Alaska Native Community Advancement in Psychology (ANCAP)/Alaska Natives into Psychology (ANPsych)
ANCAP seeks to address behavioral and mental health issues and promote wellness among Alaska Native communities and strives to accomplish a variety of community- and student-oriented activities. ANPsych supports Alaska Native and American Indian undergraduate and graduate students through career, academic and cultural mentoring and activities on campus.

Alaska Native, Indigenous & Rural Outreach Program (ANIROP) & The Cama-i Room
ANIROP's fundamental purpose is to serve Alaska Native, Indigenous and rural students by providing care, academic and social support and culturally responsive advocacy. The ANIROP coordinator serves as a mentor, transition liaison, personal and academic success ally, resource provider, advocate, referral source and cultural educator. ANIROP also oversees operations of the Cama-i Room in student housing. The Cama-i Room serves as a home away from home for Alaska Native, Indigenous and rural students and a space to cultivate community through gathering in celebration of Native identity, values and worldview.

Alaska Traditional Kitchen (AKTK)
AKTK is housed within UAA’s Dietetics and Nutrition department. The purpose is to promote traditional foods, stories and Alaska Native ways of knowing. AKTK’s main goal is to provide a space where people can learn about and share traditional foods and the stories behind them, as well as the knowledge and wisdom of Alaska Native Elders.

Della Keats
Della Keats is a four (4) week, residential program for high school students interested in medical and health-related careers. The program is on the UAA Anchorage campus each summer. Students have the opportunity to take preparatory coursework from faculty in health science-related disciplines, experience university residential life and complete various medical or healthcare professional job shadows at local hospitals and/or health agencies.

Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN)
RRANN recruits and mentors Alaska Native and American Indian Students pursuing nursing degrees, offering tutoring services, peer group meetings and support from student success facilitators for all AAS and BS Nursing program students. RRANN aims to foster high-quality, culturally competent nursing care for Alaska's diverse and growing population. RRANN students are committed to enhancing the comfort of Alaska Native and American Indian Individuals when seeking healthcare. A distinctive aspect of their approach is their ability to connect with Indigenous ways of living, knowing and healing.

Alaska Native Success Initiative (ANSI)

ANSI Vision

Build an Alaska Native community within UAA and be a global leader in Alaska Native student success, teaching and scholarship. ANSI is being incorporated into everything we do at UAA, each of our Campuses, Colleges, and Schools has its own ANSI Strategic Plan. Because it requires everyone in our community - administrators, faculty, staff and students - to work together to create the systemic change needed to foster success and create a place of belonging.

Priority 1: Alaska Native Students

Increase Alaska Native Student preparation, recruitment, retention, and graduation rates.
Goal 1: Eliminate the need for remediation and reduce the time to earn their degree for graduated high school students.
Goal 2: Have 15% of the total enrolled students be Alaska Native.
Goal 3: Increase Alaska Native retention and graduation rates.

Priority 2: Alaska Native Faculty & Staff

Increase recruitment & retention of Alaska Native Faculty & Staff.
Goal: Increase the percentage of Alaska Native Faculty from 6% & Alaska Native Staff from 7.5% to 20%.

Priority 3: Institution (Internal & External)

Create a culture of belonging for Alaska Native Students, Faculty, Staff, & Community Organizations.
Goal 1: Resource Alaska Native Academic Departments & Student Support Programs.
Goal 2: Increase Alaska Native representation both internally & externally.
Goal 3: Improve Human Resources’ policies & practices.

More Information

Find more information on the ANSI Strategic Plan Executive Summary, the University of Alaska ANSI page or the ANSI 2024 Report to the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). 

Land Acknowledgements

Dena’ina

Dena'inaq ełnen'aq' gheshtnu ch'q'u yeshdu: “I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina.”
Audio by Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart. Dena’ina to English translation by Helen Dick, Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart and Joel Isaak

Ahtna Denaey

Danse nene' ghestnaa eł izdaa: “I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina.”
Audio by Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart. Ahtna Denaey to English translation

Yup'ik

Uitalartua caliaqlua-llu Dena’ina-t nuniitni: “I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina.”
Audio by Quentin Simeon. Yup'ik to English translation by Alice Rearden

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