Camp to blend science and Athabascan culture
June 15, 2012
907-474-5823
6/15/12
More than two-dozen middle- and high-school students will take part in a unique blend of science and Alaska Native culture in the Troth Yeddha’ Summer Culture Camp June 18-22, 2012 at Effie Kokrine Charter School in Fairbanks.
The program aims to bolster students’ communication and leadership skills while they explore the topic of climate change. The students will work with education and cultural experts, learning Alaska Native art forms, while exploring sites affected by climate change and using video to document stories and oral histories from Athabascan elders. Minto Chief Robert Charlie will relay cold weather stories, explain methods of traditional weather forecasting and share his vision for today’s youth.
Students’ work will culminate in a final project that they will present to parents, elders and state Rep. Alan Dick on Friday afternoon June 22, 2012. Students will share their work orally and via their video presentations. Presentations will ultimately be housed on the Iditarod Area School District’s website for future viewing at http://www.iditarodsd.org/.
Education staff from the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in collaboration with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, the Iditarod Area School District and the State of Alaska, organized the camp.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Glenda Findlay, GI Education Program manager, at 907-474-2722 or via email at glenda.findlay@gi.alaska.edu.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Media are welcome to join traditional Athabascan beading and dancing demonstrations presented by Bernadette and Robert Charlie at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 21 at Effie Kokrine Charter School.
AH/6-15-12/277-12