$10,000 Awarded to Native Orators in Fairbanks
$10,000 Awarded to Native Orators in Fairbanks
Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
03/11/03
While more than 1,000 villagers converged last weekend on the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks for the 30th annual Festival of Native Arts, a small cadre of students met in the Gruening Building to give speeches that they believe can change the world. Among the 11 students competing in the first Alaska Native Oratory Society contest of the 2003 spring season, speakers hailed from two UA campuses and hometowns as far-flung as Atka, Shageluk, Anchorage, Stony River, Fort Yukon, Soldotna and Metlakatla. At the day’s conclusion, seven of the students used their eloquence and force of ideas to take home $10,000 in scholarship funds.
Winning first place in oratory was UAF freshman Shauna Sagmoen whose speech focused on how "English only" laws contribute to cultural genocide, specifically relating to her own Dena’ina language. The storytelling winner, UAA freshman Crystal Swetzof, told a traditional Unangun Aleut tale called Tugidam Uhngii ("The Moon’s Sister"), much of it in her Native tongue.
"I felt so proud that my people were finally being represented in a public setting when we usually aren’t," said Swetzof.
UAA senior Patrick Bickford won first place in dramatic declamation with his presentation of a speech given in 1976 by former North Slope Borough mayor Eben Hobson. In the speech, Hobson decried the impacts of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline on Alaska Natives, including their traditional use of the land and resources.
Also winning recognition and scholarship funds in oratory were UAF sophomore Matthew Gho, second place, and UAA freshman David Karabelnikoff who won the third place award. In storytelling, UAA sophomore Wes Roberts placed second and Dave Karabelnikoff took third. The second place winner in dramatic declamation was UAA senior Karol Dixon with UAF’s Shauna Sagmoen taking third place honors.
Presenting awards were UAF Chancellor Marshall Lind and Doyon Inc. President/CEO Orie Williams. In his speech to the final assembly, Williams exhorted the audience to "get beyond the stereotype" of the quiet Native toward a "new generation of leadership."
Geared toward the revival of oral traditions and leadership training, the Alaska Native Oratory Society (AkNOS) is co-sponsored by UAA and First Alaskans Institute with funds largely derived from Native corporations and related businesses. Contributors include Alyeska Pipeline, Sealaska, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Manilaaq Corporation, VECO, Wallace Insurance and At-Sea Processors, Alaska Humanities Forum, Alaska Native Professional Association, Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium, First Alaskans Institute, the Denali Commission and several private individuals.
The next contests will take place in Juneau at the UAS campus on March 22 and at UAA on April 19. Registration is still open to all potential high school and college competitors. Interested speakers, judges or observers may check the website at www.uaa.alaska.edu/aknos