Elder professors share wisdom, traditional knowledge

March 1, 2019

To honor Indigenous Alaska Native knowledge and better support all students, Oscar and Sophie Alexie will join the College of Rural and Community Development as visiting elder professors. Mr. and Mrs. Alexie will be available as guest lecturers during the spring semester from March 18-29 and April 22-26 for university classes and community groups.

“Indigenous knowledge is a key piece when dealing with many of today's issues in the Arctic,” said Sandra Kowalski, director of Indigenous programs at CRCD. “Elders and local community provide the historical context necessary to provide well-grounded and effective academic work. In addition, Indigenous knowledge bearers carry the history, stories, skills and knowledge that are important to local culture and to global knowledge."

Mr. and Mrs. Alexie retired from the Kuskokwim Campus in May 2018. They have over 70 years of combined experience teaching and researching Yup'ik language. Mr. Alexie directed the Yup'ik language and culture B.A. program, as well as the certificate and A.A.S. Yup'ik language proficiency program for the Kuskokwim Campus. Mrs. Alexie was an instructor at the Kuskokwim Campus and taught over 35 years in Yup'ik language and culture. They have taught a variety of courses, including Yup'ik orthography, translating and interpreting Yugtun, regaining fluency, and Yup'ik for new learners. They also teach traditional values and beliefs that impact modern day life, and like to focus their teaching on Yup'ik spirituality.

“UAF is pleased to enrich learning experiences and research opportunities through the addition of a visiting elder professorship in Indigenous knowledge,” said Evon Peter, vice chancellor of rural, community and Native education. “We are thankful to have Oscar and Sophie serve in this capacity this spring semester.”

Faculty and staff can request that Mr. and Mrs. Alexie speak as a guest lecturer from March 18-29, and from April 22-26. They can speak on a variety of topics, including:

Spirituality: Yup'ik people’s beliefs and how this affects modern daily life

How children were taught and trained up in Yup'ik way

Differences in communication between generations and cultures

Yup'ik language and culture

To arrange Mr. and Mrs. Alexie as a guest lecturer, complete this request form . If you would like to contact them to discuss a topic for a class or workshop, you can email both visiting professors at oalexie@gci.net and salexie@gci.net . Once you arrive at a topic, please remember to schedule a date and time using this request form . If you have questions, please contact Sandy Kowalski at sjkowalski@alaska.edu or 474-7089.