UAA and APU host public debate and discussion on Alaska Native cultural orientation program

Should all Alaska university educators, researchers and scientists be required to attend an Alaska Native-designed and run cultural orientation program? The University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE) and the UAA APU Engaging Controversy Project will host a public debate and discussion surrounding this important question. This free event will take place on Oct. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the UAA APU Consortium Library, room 307. Free parking is available.

 

The debate will highlight the award-winning UAA Debate Team, which has won numerous awards, including placing in the top 3 percent of all universities with debating teams at the 2007 World Universities Debating Championships.  The debate will also feature faculty and community respondents and will follow with a facilitated public discussion.  Faculty respondents include Dr. Lil Alessa, biology; Dr. Paul Ongtooguk, education; Larry Merculieff, Alaska Native Science Commission; and Dr. Gunnar Knapp, Institute for Social and Economic Research.  

This event is part of a series of debates sponsored by UAA since 2003 to provide forums for Alaskans to participate in discussions of policies and issues affecting their futures.  The UAA/APU Engaging Controversy Project is designed to improve civil discourse on the campuses and to engage faculty, students and the community in constructive dialogue about sensitive political, religious, racial and cultural issues.

For more information, contact Libby Roderick at (907) 786-4605 or aner@uaa.alaska.edu.