UAF Department of Alaska Native Studies & Rural Development

Gather and celebrate the Class of 2026! 🎉 Join us in-person in the Brooks Building on Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks, or remote via Zoom!

🗓️Friday, May 1
⏰ 6 pm
📍RSS Gathering Room or Remote via Zoom

RSVP for in-person: bit.ly/4skXqVw
Join via Zoom: bit.ly/4tgP4jb

See you there!

Nominations for the 2026 Pathfinder Award close TOMORROW at 5pm!

The recipient will receive $500 and will be recognized on Feb. 27 at the Festival of Native Arts. This award is open to all UAF staff, including our branch campuses. Any UAF staff or student can submit a nomination, though student nominations are especially valued, and multiple nominations strengthen a candidate's chances.

Submit your nomination here: bit.ly/4bMGkv8
Let's celebrate those who help light the path for our students!

Do you know a staff member who exemplifies compassion and dedication to Alaska Native/rural student success? Nominate them for the 2026 Pathfinder Award! 🌟

The recipient will receive $500 and will be recognized on Feb. 27 at the Festival of Native Arts. This award is open to all UAF staff, including our branch campuses. Any UAF staff or student can submit a nomination, though student nominations are especially valued, and multiple nominations strengthen a candidate's chances.

Deadline to nominate: February 19, 2026

Submit your nomination here: bit.ly/4bMGkv8

Let's celebrate those who help light the path for our students!

Rural Student Services

Do you know a staff member who exemplifies compassion and dedication to Alaska Native/rural student success? Nominate them for the 2026 Pathfinder Award! 🌟

The recipient will receive $500 and will be recognized on Feb. 27 at the Festival of Native Arts. This award is open to all UAF staff, including our branch campuses. Any UAF staff or student can submit a nomination, though student nominations are especially valued, and multiple nominations strengthen a candidate's chances.

Deadline to nominate: February 19, 2026

Submit your nomination here: bit.ly/4bMGkv8

Let's celebrate those who help light the path for our students!

Rural Student Services

We were so humbled to see an alumna's name pop up in the New York Times!

Kelsey Ciugun Wallace graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor's in Rural Development and a minor in Yup'ik. She currently serves as president and chief executive of the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

The NYT recently highlighted her incredible work facilitating the donation of around a ton of wild, traditional foods from around Alaska to feed evacuees of Typhoon Halong. More than 600 displaced Alaskans still live in Anchorage nearly 4 months after the devastating storm, but thanks to the efforts of Kelsey and countless other individuals who have donated their hunted, fished & foraged foods, they are able to keep this vital connection to home.

❤

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/dining/typhoon-displaces-alaskan-natives-food-homeland.html

UAF Department of Alaska Native Studies & Rural Development
University of Alaska Fairbanks

Villages Destroyed and a Hunger for Home After a typhoon destroyed their homes, hundreds of Alaskan Natives find themselves far from their familiar food and landscapes.

Are you interested in the ethics of Generative AI? Concerned about the social, cultural, and intellectual implications of AI usage?

This class will help you learn to use AI effectively, take charge of your education, and help your community take charge of their own development in the era of artificial intelligence.

Cultural Values & Artificial Intelligence with Jennifer Carroll
ℹ️ RD 240 | CRN: 36168 | 3 credits
⏰ TR 2 - 3:30pm �
📍Remote via Zoom & Canvas

➡️ Ready to take the next step?
Register today!
uaf.edu/reg/

Interested in the socioeconomic, cultural, legal, and political dimensions of subsistence in Alaska? There are still spots left in this exciting course taught by Charleen Fisher, PhD, starting next week!

Perspectives on Subsistence in Alaska
ℹ️ RD F265 | CRN: 36474 | 3 credits
⏰ Asynchronous (does not meet)
📍100% Distance via Canvas

Spring semester:
🗓️ January 12 – May 2

Register today, or contact an advisor for help: [email protected] | uaf.edu/reg/

Congratulations new Mellon Fellows!

Mellon Foundation Troth Yeddha' Collective Fellowship recipients The UAF Graduate School is honored to recognize seven Ph.D. students selected for the Mellon Dissertation Fellowship. These fellows are established UAF Ph.D. students whose work centers Indigenous knowledge in the arts and humanities, builds transdisciplinary connections, and responds to community n...

GROUP PIC of participants at the 2025 UAF Indigenous Leadership Symposium!

1 credit asynchronous course (no meeting times). Learn on your own by following a syllabus and working in Canvas.