Academic programs
The Alaska Native Language Center was established by state legislation in 1972 to document and preserve the 20 Indian, Aleut and Eskimo languages in Alaska. It is the major center in the United States for the study of Eskimo and northern Athabascan languages. ANLC publishes its findings in dictionaries, grammars, story collections and research papers. The Alaska Native Language Archive houses a valuable collection of manuscript materials in and on Alaska Native languages, including word lists and documentation dating to the late 1700s. The archive is available to scholars and students and is housed at the Rasmuson Library.
The Alaska Native languages program offers courses in Eskimo, Aleut and Indian languages spoken in the state. Major and minor curricula are offered in Central Yup'ik Eskimo, the largest Alaska Native language in terms of number of speakers; and Inupiaq Eskimo, the second largest. Regular courses are also available in Gwich'in Athabascan. Individual or small-group instruction is available in other Athabascan languages as well as in Siberian Yup'ik, Alutiiq, Aleut and Tlingit. 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is the only university in the United States to provide such programs. Students interested in individual or small group interaction should contact the Alaska Native Language Center.
The investigates weight, nutrition and health in Alaska Natives.