Program Overview

Introduction to the Yup'ik Language and Culture Program

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offers a unique opportunity to study the Yup'ik language and culture through its Bachelor's degree program. This program is the only one of its kind in the world and provides students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Alaska Native people and the Yup'ik way of life.

Program Overview

The Bachelor's degree in Yup'ik language and culture is designed to reinforce a Yup'ik identity that is centrally dependent on the language and culture. The program prepares students for success in the world and at home, with a focus on language, culture, and community.

Degree Options

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Yup'ik Language and Culture
• Minor in Yup'ik Language and Culture

Availability

The program is available at UAF's Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, Alaska.

Why Study Yup'ik Language and Culture at UAF?

UAF offers a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Yup'ik way of life. Students can engage in exciting research and field work, access unique language and cultural resources, and work closely with expert faculty.

Research and Field Work

Students have a variety of opportunities to conduct language research and experience Alaska Native culture. For example, during the Festival of Native Arts, students conduct an introductory workshop on the Yup'ik language.

Language and Cultural Resources

The Alaska Native Language Archive houses an archival collection of more than 15,000 items, offering a tremendous resource for researchers and students in the Yup'ik program. Students also have unique opportunities to study with linguists at the Alaska Native Language Center.

Expert Faculty

Walkie Charles, Ph.D., is a native speaker of Central Alaska Yup'ik and has decades of teaching experience. Dr. Charles also participates in Alaska Native Language advocacy and provides support for K-12 Yup'ik language teachers.

Career Opportunities

Many graduates of the Bachelor's degree in Yup'ik language and culture return to their communities and incorporate the Yup'ik language into their teaching or workplace. The program is also excellent preparation for graduate study in applied linguistics.

Examples of Career Paths

• Incorporating Yup'ik into the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative website for easier access to members' accounts.
• Translating and transcribing manuscripts and interviews for statewide publications.
• Working as a translator and transcriber for the Calista Elders' Council.

Curriculum

The program's goal is to reinforce a Yup'ik identity that is centrally dependent on the language and culture. Required classes cover topics such as:

• Yup'ik grammar
• Cultural knowledge of Native Elders
• Yup'ik literature
• Reading and writing Yup'ik

Related Programs

UAF also offers related programs in:

• Linguistics
• Alaska Native Studies
• Foreign Languages
• Communication

Land Acknowledgement

The University of Alaska Fairbanks acknowledges the Alaska Native nations upon whose ancestral lands its six campuses reside. In Fairbanks, the Troth Yeddha' Campus is located on the ancestral lands of the Dena people of the lower Tanana River.