Shine a Light Speaker Series

At UAF, we are growing into a socially just and caring institution of higher education. This ongoing speaker series, titled Shine a Light: Promoting Conversations on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is designed to encourage understanding, build empathy and engage us in thinking critically about our worldviews.

The series is led by UAF Northwest Campus, UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability, and the Nanook Diversity and Action Center and is open to ALL! Thanks for being here! Join us on the third Tuesday of every month for a new speaker and topic.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest Campus

University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability

Nanook Diversity and Action Center

Current events

New Events Coming Soon

Past events

Building Connected Communities - Sexual Assault Awareness Month Panel

Building Connect Communities - Sexual Assault Awareness Month Panel

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Panelists Jessica Klein, Elizabeth Kugzruk, and Aaron Stone share their experiences, barriers, and unique insights as survivors and sexual assault awareness advocates.

Revitalization of Inuit Tattooing

Revitalization of Inuit Tattooing

March 19, 2024
Holly Nordlum

A Life of Community Service

A Life of Community Service

February 20, 2024
Wendy S. Dominique

Empowering Traditional Craftsmanship: A Journey with Sew Yupik's Small Business

Empowering Traditional Craftsmanship: A Journey with Sew Yupik's Small Business

January 23, 2024
Quluqaaq Nicolette Corbett

Indigenous Identity Panel

Indigenous Identity Panel

November 28, 2023
Darlene Paqpaluk Trigg, Oliver Tyrrell, and Qasuġlana Barb Amarok

Fairbanks Local LGBTQA+ History Project

Fairbanks Local LGBTQA+ History Project

October 24, 2023
Jeff Walters, Pete Pinney, and Tachel Cohen

Coinciding with PFLAG's 50th birthday nationwide, and the local PFLAG Fairbanks chapter's 30th year, we are initiating a local LGBTQA+ history collection of written materials and oral stories about life in the Interior through the lived experiences of LGBTQ and allies. The goal is to create a researchable database going back decades into the contributions of this community, in partnership with the UAF Rasmuson Library Archives Department.

Jeff Walters and Pete Pinney serve as the secretary and treasurer, respectively, of the Fairbanks chapter of PFLAG, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Rachel Cohen is the Archivist and Curator of Rare Books & Maps at the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives at the UAF Elmer E Rasmuson Library.

Understanding the Real Needs of Latinos in Alaska

Understanding the Real Needs of Latinos in Alaska

September 19, 2023
Joan Ryan Estay

Murdered/Missing Indigenous Persons

Murdered/Missing Indigenous Persons

May 16, 2023
Lonny Piscoya

Sivuqaq, Toxins, & Research

Sivuqaq, Toxins, & Research

April 18, 2023
Vi Waghiyi

Co-Production of Knowledge: Critical Reflection on Arctic Research

Co-Production of Knowledge: Critical Reflection on Arctic Research

March 21, 2023
Margaret Anamaq Rudolf

Death by 1000 cuts: Surviving in a World of Microaggressions & Marginality

Death by 1000 cuts: Surviving in a World of Microaggressions & Marginality

February 21, 2023
Traci Gatewood

International Law of Colonialism in Alaska

International Law of Colonialism in Alaska

January 17, 2023
Robert Miller

Art as Storytelling

Art as Storytelling

December 6, 2022
Jenny Irene Miller

Indigenous Representation in Media

Indigenous Representation in Media

November 15, 2022
Alice Glenn

Lost Alaskans: The Morningside Hospital Project

Lost Alaskans: The Morningside Hospital Project

October 18, 2022
Robin Renfroe

Ladawan: Making Images

Ladawan: Making Images

September 20, 2022
JR Ancheta

5 C's of Healing Centered Engagement

5 C's of Healing Centered Engagement

June 21, 2022
Dr. LaVerne Xilegg Demientieff

Slideshow (pptx, 19.6MB)

Decolonizing the Classroom - Critical Reflections on Equity & Inclusion

Decolonizing the Classroom - Critical Reflections on Equity & Inclusion

May 17, 2022
Dr. Jessica Black

Slideshow (pdf, 7.9MB)

Footprints for the Future

Footprints for the Future

March 22, 2022
Carol Seppilu

Black Organizing in Alaska

Black Organizing in Alaska

February 15, 2022
Alyssa Quintyne

Preserving & Teaching Inupiat: Renewing Relationships to the Land and Each Other

Preserving & Teaching Inupiat: Renewing Relationships to the Land and Each Other

January 18, 2022
Roy Apaagzuk Agloinga

Truth and Healing: Alaska's Native Boarding Schools

Truth and Healing: Alaska's Native Boarding Schools

November 16, 2021
Jim LaBelle

Data for Indigenous Justice: Addressing MMIWG2S in Alaska

Data for Indigenous Justice: Addressing MMIWG2S in Alaska

September 21, 2021
Charlene Aqpik Apok

Lifting the Veil: Colonization, Critical Consciousness and Community Development in Rural

Lifting the Veil: Colonization, Critical Consciousness and Community Development in Rural Alaska

September 21, 2021
Charlene Stern

The Queer Art of Holding Still

The Queer Art of Holding Still

August 23, 2021
Jonathan VanDyke

Beyond Stonewall: Past and Present Movements for LGBTQ+ Equality

Beyond Stonewall: Past and Present Movements for LGBTQ+ Equality

June 21, 2021
Ronnie Houchin

The Complexities of Anti-Asian Racism

The Complexities of Anti-Asian Racism

May 17, 2021
E.J.R. David

Finding Value at Home

Finding Value at Home

April 19, 2021
Ana Hoffman

Who Is Elizabeth Peratrovich, Our Alaska Native Civil Rights Leader?

Who Is Elizabeth Peratrovich, Our Alaska Native Civil Rights Leader?

March 29, 2021
Jaquline Kus.een Pata

Black in Hindsight: A Review of Black History in Alaska

Black in Hindsight: A Review of Black History in Alaska

February 22, 2021
Jo Malbert Narváez

Uncivilized: A Context for Alaska Native Equity

Uncivilized: A Context for Alaska Native Equity

January 25, 2021
Former UAF Vice Chancellor Evon Peter.