Bill adding more Indigenous languages to Alaska’s official list becomes law

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a House Education Committee gathering connected May 3, 2024. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

A measure adding much Indigenous languages to Alaska’s charismatic database became rule connected Friday without nan governor’s signature. 

Its transition intends Alaska now officially recognizes 23 Alaska Native languages. The caller additions to nan database are Cup’ig, Middle Tanana, Lower Tanana and Wetał. Middle and Lower Tanana were antecedently classified arsenic conscionable 1 language.

Juneau Rep. Andi Story sponsored nan bill. She’s a Democrat moving uncontested for reelection this year.

Story said it’s a important triumph for each residents successful nan state. 

“I conscionable deliberation it enriches each of us, Native and non-native, to cognize astir our connection and civilization and clasp it,” she said. 

The rule expands and renames a assembly that advocates for nan endurance and revitalization of Indigenous languages successful nan state. Previously called nan Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council, it’s now called nan Council for Alaska Native Language. 

The mostly of nan state’s Indigenous languages are critically endangered. And, in a study released this spring, nan assembly stated that Alaska Native languages are astatine a “crucial juncture.”

X̱ʼunei Lance Twitchell chairs nan assembly and teaches Alaska Native languages astatine nan University of Alaska Southeast successful Juneau. He powerfully advocated successful favour of nan measure during legislative grounds earlier this year.

“Every azygous Alaska Native connection is ineffable and irreplaceable,” he said during his testimony. “It contains concepts that cannot beryllium translated, it contains things that cannot beryllium replaced, and that springiness a consciousness of fulfillment and wholeness and wellness to Alaska Natives and to non-natives successful Alaska.”

Two seats will beryllium added to nan assembly and it will beryllium moved from nan Department of Commerce to nan Department of Education and Early Development to amended bespeak nan council’s attraction connected education.