This qualitative study explores the strategies employed by selected principals in rural Alaska who have demonstrated success in retaining teachers above the state's retention rate. Guided by the research question, "What do selected principals do that supports or contributes to successful teacher retention in their rural-remote areas?"…

American Indian Alaska Native (AIAN) youth have disproportionately higher rates of commercial tobacco product use compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. These rates underscore a need for commercial tobacco product cessation interventions that are culturally informed. This project studied the development, implementation, and some…

This quantitative study was designed to understand the relationship between the variables of student attendance, educator experience and turnover, and student achievement at the Molly Hootch schools in rural Alaska in an effort to understand the current state of achievement according to data from 2002-2019 collected from the Alaska Department of…

The goals of this research are twofold: (1) This research explores decision making and college experiences of Alaska Native undergraduates pursuing degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields; and (2) this research, using participant observation explores the Indigenous metaphor of "the trail" to frame…

The research presented in this article contributes to our understanding of wild pedagogies, put into practice through the exploration of a space where culture/Nature binaries are blurred and contrasted. The observations and findings challenge the way we "see," come to know, and position ourselves as part of or separate from the natural…

This dissertation explores the alignment between local school principals' values and ideas about what should be taught in their public schools and the values of the local Yup'ik communities in which those principals serve. A review of scholarly literature served as a basis for identifying Yup'ik values and a survey which measured principals'…

Indigenous Alaska Native first-generation college students bring a wealth of knowledge and skills yet struggle in Western institutions. The problem is that many Alaskan postsecondary faculty continue to design courses based on Western academic instructional practices instead of culturally responsive strategies when teaching Indigenous Alaska…

I examine the educational properties of Iñupiaq songs and dances showing how they convey critical cultural knowledge, practical skills, and teach the value system of the Iñupiaq people. The practice of Alaska Native dance, a fundamental pedagogical strategy, was limited for 100 years by oppressive colonial forces. Framed in revitalization efforts,…

Written by the SECEIJ Special Forum editorial team, this Project Report summarizes the interdisciplinary, collaborative, and inspiring research journey and theoretical background leading to the creation of a strategic plan for the 'IKE Alliance for Transforming STEM Education. 'IKE, which stands for Indigenous Knowledges, Encouragements,…

Federal law defines eligibility for English learner (EL) classification differently for Indigenous students compared with non-Indigenous students. To be EL-eligible, non-Indigenous students are required to have a non-English primary language. Indigenous students, by contrast, can be English-dominant or English monolingual. A critical question,…

This DIP is a qualitative study to describe how Alaska Native and African American parents understand the achievement gap as well as their suggestions or solutions for reducing and ending the gap. Seventeen parents were interviewed, from both Alaska Native and African American descent. These interviews took place over the phone due to the current…

Each August, Sugpiaq Elders, community members, and educators gather in Cape Alitak to host Akhiok Kids Camp, a week-long culture camp that provides a space for local Sugpiaq youth to learn and carry forward traditional lifeways and promotes youth's self-esteem, identity, and healthy choices. This article traces the legacy of the camp and outlines…

This report explores the development of a bridge between secondary and postsecondary education through professional development and college preparation by examining the current processes that high schools are using to address student success outside of the counselor setting. This research seeks to understand how Alaska schools can use an…

For the past five years, the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository has been documenting intricacies of the Alutiiq language with the help of Elder speakers and a grant from the National Science Foundation (#1360839). The project's primary focus has been recording vocabulary, grammar, and ways of speaking for this threatened Native Alaskan…

The Dena'ina language is a well-documented Northern Dene Alaska Native language in south-central Alaska. The Dena'ina language is on the brink of going to sleep. The Dena'ina community strongly desires for the Dena'ina language to once again thrive in the community. Language-use within the community is a contributing factor to the health of the…