“While much can be said pro and con about this act, it does, for the first time in our recent history, recognize us as a people – people who can be charged with tremendous responsibilities and challenging opportunities, people who can be called upon to readjust their life style so as to participate fully in the decision-making processes and in the full scale of personal, social, and community affairs which must be responsibly undertaken by both Native and Non-Native citizens of Alaska to achieve a better way of life for all her people.”
– Peter Gordon Gould (Aleut), APU Founder
ANCSA at 50: The Journey Continues – December 18, 2021
ANCSA at 50: The Journey Continues – December 18, 2021Watch the dancing and drumming here.
Watch the official program here.
On December 18, APU hosted the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) at the Atwood Center. On this date in 1971, Alaska Native delegates met at the Atwood Center to discuss and approve ANCSA before President Nixon signed the bill.
Time: Dancers and drummers from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Official program from 6 – 8 p.m.
In partnership with Alaska Native Professional Association. With support from Atwood Foundation, First National Bank Alaska, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, and Bristol Bay Native Corporation
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration – October 11, 2021
APU along with community partners hosted Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday celebrating and honoring Native American peoples and histories. This is the fifth year that APU hosted the event.
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. AKDT
Community partners include:
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp #87
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
- Alaska Native Village Corporation Association
- Alaska’s People
- Cook Inlet Tribal Council
- Native Peoples Action
- Native Village of Eklutna
- Pamyua
Please mark your calendars and we hope you can attend this year’s event.
EMCEES:
Arias Hoyle (Tlingit)
Shyanne Beatty (Hän/Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Athabascan)
Opening Blessing by Nicholas, Patrick Selanoff (Sugpiaq) of the Valdez Orthodox Parish
Welcoming to the Lands by Aaron Leggett (Dena’ina Athabascan), President and Chair, Native Village of Eklutna
SPEAKERS:
Ethan Schutt (Athabascan), Chair, Alaska Pacific University
Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough (Inuit-Alaska), International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council
Honored Elder Harold Napolean (Yup’ik), Author of “Yuuuuyaraq: The Way of the Human Being”
PERFORMANCES:
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Ida’ina K’eljeshna (Dena’ina Athabascan)
Arias Hoyle (Tlingit)
Presentation By Alaska Pacific University and University Alaska Anchorage on Indigenous Course Offerings and Programs:
Dr. Beth Leonard (Deg Xit’an Dene/Athabascan)
Casey Ferguson (Cup’ik)
Karli Tyance Hassel (Anishinaabe)
Kristen English (Tlingit/Aleut)
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart (Ahtna/Paiute)
Dr. Maria Williams (Tlingit)
Haliehana Stepetin (Unangax̂)
ANCSA Educational Seminar – October 28, 2021
APU Faculty from the Institution of Business and Public Policy provided a free educational component to the series, taking a deep dive into the history, context, and future of ANCSA.
Date: October 28, 2021
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Untold Stories of ANCSA: Panel Discussion – November 8, 2021
- Aaron Leggett (Dena’ina Athabascan)
- George Edwardson (Inupiaq)
- Mary Ann Mills (Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina)
- Wilson Justin (Dene’/ Ahtna/Althsetnay)
- Don Standifer, Sr. (Dena’ina Athabascan)
- Lee Stephan (Dena’ina Athabascan)
Dena’ina Counting Cord Ceremony for APU Timeline – December 3, 2021
APU postponed the Dena’ina Counting Cord Ceremony. The ceremony is an important community gathering and we look forward to an in-person event at a later, safer date.
Traditionally, the Dena’ina people used counting cords as a type of calendar with knots and beads representing significant events in an individual’s life. With approval from CITC, APU will host an event open to members from our own community to come to add their memories and history at APU onto APU’s counting cord.
Date: Postponed (originally December 3, 2021)
Time: Postponed (originally 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
Location: Grant Hall, Alaska Pacific University
