Yup'ik language club assists with spelling bee

April 25, 2023

Members of the UAF Yugtun Egmilta (Yup'ik Language Club) traveled to Anchorage on April 15 to assist with the statewide Yup'ik and Iñupiaq spelling bee. Adjunct Professor of Yup'ik Casey "Cakataar" Jack, who competed in the first Yup'ik spelling bee over a decade ago, gave a speech encouraging the participants to keep learning and speaking Yugtun. Alliyah "Aliqataaq" Nay, an Iñupiaq major, was the lead judge for the Iñupiaq spelling bee portion. Joevahnta "Nalugalria" Usugan-Weddington, a Yup'ik major, gathered language books and materials as gifts for all the contestants. All club members had an opportunity to encourage the revitalization of Yup'ik and Iñupiaq with contestants from villages across the state.