Dr. Hishinlai’ Peter

Assistant Professor of Gwich’in Studies, Emeritus

WHEREAS Dr. Peter maintained consistent excellence in teaching, with the highest ratings and praise from her students, while also earning her master’s and doctorate degrees; and she developed UAF's Gwich’in language courses, for which she created her own materials because none existed previously; and she used diverse language-learning techniques, such as immersion, props and culturally important practices and items; and

WHEREAS Dr. Peter has contributed to the broader field of linguistics, making her a highly regarded scholar both regionally and nationally among linguists and the Indigenous language community; and

WHEREAS Dr. Peter, in addition to her Gwich’in courses, also taught numerous workshops and classes on the master-apprentice method of heritage language teaching and learning, not only at UAF but also elsewhere in Alaska; and she has also assisted Native groups outside her own specialty as they revitalize their own languages;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Hishinlai’ Peter for her extensive contributions to the state of Alaska and to the university; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in further recognition of the invaluable services rendered by Dr. Peter and as evidence of the university’s desire that her identification with the university be maintained, hereby salutes the appointment of Dr. Hishinlai’ Peter as assistant professor of Gwich’in studies, emeritus; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and signed by the chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks as further evidence of the esteem and respect in which he holds Dr. Hishinlai’ Peter, and conveyed to Dr. Peter on this third day of May, 2024.