Unangax Studies

Overview

Alaska Native and Native American cultures and knowledge remain significantly underrepresented in formal educational settings. Educational research consistently highlights the importance of culturally relevant, place-based curricula in supporting student success by increasing engagement and strengthening connections to course content. Despite this, there is currently no collegiate program—and only limited coursework—dedicated to the study of the Unangan people, even though approximately 15,000 Unangan individuals live across the United States today.

According to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, only an estimated 40–80 highly proficient speakers of Unangam Tunuu, the ancestral language of the Unangan, remain—representing less than one percent of the community. This decline, rooted in the colonization of Unangan communities beginning in the mid-1700s, has been further compounded by the limited accessibility of Unangax̂ knowledge and perspectives within formal education systems for both Unangan and non-Unangan students.

The Iḷisaġvik College Unangax̂ Studies Certificate (UNA Certificate) will address this gap through a 15-credit program that provides foundational education grounded in the history, values, traditions, and knowledge systems of the Unangan people. The program will create an accessible entry point for Indigenous students to engage in collegiate coursework that reflects their identities and lived experiences, helping build confidence and develop key academic skills for future post-secondary pursuits. It will also offer opportunities for Unangan students to strengthen regional connections and earn a credential that can serve as a pathway to culturally grounded careers. Additionally, the program will expand understanding among non-Unangax̂ Alaskans working in Unangan communities—including those in school districts, tribal governments, nonprofits, municipal governance, and Alaska Native corporations—fostering more culturally informed engagement and contributions.

Certificate Outcomes

● Be able to read, write, listen and speak Unangam Tunuu at the novice level.
● Identify and apply Unangan values and traditional knowledge, understanding the relationship between Unangax̂ culture, land, and other global cultural groups.
● Understand Unangan history, cultural changes, and their influence on current issues.
● Demonstrate increased competency in academic/career skills.

Admissions Requirements and Prerequisites

● Students must meet the criteria for admissions into a certificate or degree program as outlined in the Iḷisaġvik catalog.
● Admission to the program is not restricted; however, students must meet prerequisites for individual courses.
● Admission into the program is determined by the Registration and Admission staff at Iḷisaġvik College.