Alaska Native peoples and other Indigenous peoples must relearn their languages as part of relearning to live close to nature in their own place. The links between traditional Yupiaq teaching stories and scientific concepts are discussed in relation to Indigenous world views, which are more relevant to environmental understanding than Eurocentric…

Describes the background, instructions, assigned roles, and activities involved in a simulation game based on the Alaska Natives Claims Settlement Act and used in several school districts throughout Alaska. Shows how students learn to analyze financial investments, interpret resource maps, consider subsistence values, and make complex decisions.…

Reviews the research and literature that has revealed pertinent information about the perceptual abilities or learning styles of both Indian and Inuit children. Identifies factors that may account for the distinct learning styles of the children and discusses implications of the hypothesis that Native children learn best from visual stimulation.…

In some Alaska Native communities, dominant society schools are powerful symbols of relationships such as political control, social domination, and cultural hegemony. Awareness of these symbolic associations can help school staff understand the implications of their roles and the resentment of village residents. (SV)

Describes the successful school serving preschool-twelfth grade in St. Mary's Alaska--a small remote Yupik community. Examines the bilingual curriculum, strong community support, and the school's philosophy and goals emphasizing integration of Yupik ways and values and the educational responsibility of the community. (SV)

Reviews the literature about preschool immersion education for Indigenous languages. Describes the two oldest and best known of such programs: Kohanga Reo ("language nests") in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Punana Leo in Hawaii. Looks at existing U.S. programs, particularly Arapaho preschools in Wyoming. Outlines major themes and issues in developing…

Case study describes the efforts of Kuinerrarmiut Elitnaurviat, the K-12 school in Quinhagak, Alaska, to implement school reform initiatives that support the merging of school and community values and priorities. Despite nearly a century of outside acculturation efforts, the Yupik people of Quinhagak are attempting to integrate their language,…

Analysis of an exemplary lesson by a Yupik first grade teacher reveals that the teacher contextualized the lesson by choosing a cultural activity, using an interactional style of teacher demonstration and student observation and demonstration, and emphasizing the importance of the activity to community and kin. Contains 27 references. (SV)