About Us

ANLA History

 

The Alaska Native Language Archive was formally established as an independent entity in 2009, incorporating collections housed under the Alaska Native Language Center. Prior to the founding of the Alaska Native Language Center by state legislation in 1972, linguistic documentation had been undertaken by a wide range of individuals and institutions, and the results of this work were scattered in archives, libraries, and attics across the globe. These materials include original manuscripts from the Russian American era and wordlists collected by early arctic explorers. The Alaska Native Language Archive was

created with the goal of consolidating these important materials in one location. In addition, the Archive serves as a repository for the growing body of educational materials being developed by Alaska Native speakers and linguists at ANLC.

In 2013, ANLA joined Rasmuson Library in dedicating its space to Michael E. Krauss, honoring the founder of the collection.

Today the Archive has grown to house more than 15,000 documents, including nearly everything written in or about any of the twenty Alaska Native languages. The Archive also contains a significant collection of audio recordings dating to the 1940’s, including some of the earliest recordings of Alaska Native languages. The comprehensive nature of the collection—bringing together unpublished manuscripts and copies of archival documents, as well as published materials—has been repeatedly recognized as unique and valuable.

The Archive is located on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is open to the public for research and educational purposes. Efforts are currently underway to increase access through digitization of audio and text materials. A container list is accessible online, and portions of the collection are accessible via web portals tailored to individual languages. The Archive also continues to partner with Native organizations to facilitate local access in remote regions.

The Alaska Native Language Archive is a collaborative effort of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library and the UAF College of Rural and Community Development.  Additional work is made possible through the generous support of both on-campus and off-campus granting organizations, particularly the Alaska Native Language Center and the National Science Foundation.