Jamie Early and Mercedes Morgan work on constructing a pair of moccasins during their Tlingit language class at Wrangell High School. Teacher Virginia Oliver explained the cultural component of their lessons is the foundation of learning the language.
The Alaska House on Monday passed a concurrent resolution that would urge Gov. Bill Walker to declare a state of "linguistic emergency" for Native languages.
HCR 19 passed by 34-4 and will be taken up by the Senate for consideration. If adopted there, it would encourage state agencies, the Legislature, Alaska Native organizations and others to prioritize and strengthen policies aimed at promoting the continued use of Alaska Native languages.
The state has already been making steps in a more supportive direction, creating the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council in 2012 and...
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