Energy and excitement filled the at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on September 28, when the community came together for the . The annual celebration invited attendees to explore how ʻike ʻImiloa (Hawaiian knowledge) and science come together to honor the connections between land, sea and sky.

ʻ����ܷ��� marks the change from summer to winter in the Hawaiian calendar, a season known for storms, abundance and renewal. This year’s theme came from the ʻō������� noʻeau (Hawaiian poetical saying): “Pala ka hala, momona ka ����ʻ�ܰ��ʻ�ܰ��… momona ka uhu.” (When the hala fruits are ripe, the sea urchins and parrotfish are fat and ready.)

The proverb celebrates the richness of the season and the value of kilo, closely observing the environment. That spirit guided the day’s activities, which encouraged guests to see their role in caring for the ecosystems that feed and sustain Hawaiʻi.

Hands-on learning

Festival attendees joined hands-on workshops and cultural games, learned about traditional navigation from ʻohana waʻa (Hawaiʻi’s voyaging canoe family), and explored a traveling exhibit from INPEACE about loko iʻa (fishponds). Conservation groups offered ways for the community to protect native species and restore natural habitats.

Performers and presenters at the event also shared ʻike (knowledge), ʻō������� (language) and moʻomeheu Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian culture), celebrating the strength and beauty of Native Hawaiian traditions.

The ʻ����ܷ��� Festival 2025, made possible by the generous support of the Ama OluKai Foundation and Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu.

Devin Chu’s life and career were literally written in the stars. Growing up in Hilo, he would often visit the library on weekends with his mother. While in the third grade, one of the books he discovered was Our Solar System, which got him fascinated with the neighboring planets and their differences from Earth.

The discovery was a life-changing moment for Chu and first set him on a course into the field of astronomy, then later on a return trajectory to his hometown to become astronomer-in-residence at the at the .

As a child, Chu participated in as many opportunities as he could find, including the popular Journey Through the Universe astronomy education and outreach program and Future Flight Hawaiʻi. Chu often reached out to astronomers to gain their insight and advice on his high school research projects. Doug Simons, director of the (IfA), fondly recalls Chu and how he indirectly helped to inspire the creation of the Maunakea Scholars (MKS) program years later.

“Before Maunakea Scholars, high school student access to the observatories was ad-hoc, mainly based on knowing someone who worked at the observatories or just cold-calling astronomers for advice on their science projects,” said Simons, who was director of the Gemini Observatory when he first met Chu. “We flipped things around five or six years later with the launch of the MKS program that went to the schools looking for students like Devin who wanted to do research using the most powerful collection of telescopes in the world.”

Full circle back to Hawaiʻi Island

After graduating from Hilo High School in 2010, Chu’s journey took him to Dartmouth College. In his second year, Chu was selected to participate in the Akamai Internship Program, which allowed him to return home for the summer to assist astronomers at the Gemini-North Observatory. The following summer, Chu received additional experience as an undergraduate research fellow at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He earned his bachelor of arts in physics and astronomy in 2014, then attended UCLA, where he earned his master of science and PhD in astronomy and astrophysics in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

As ����Vlog�ٷ�’s astronomer-in-residence at ʻImiloa, Chu is looking forward to immersing himself in the development of ʻImiloa’s curriculum, expansion of educational outreach programs, and further development of place-based partnerships with the community to get Hawaiʻi Island students interested in astronomy or other STEM-related fields. Chu will also play a significant role in ����Vlog�ٷ�’s new Space Science and Engineering Initiative.

“We learned about the Polynesian voyages in elementary school, and I remember thinking that travelling on the open ocean and settling on islands was one of the greatest feats of human ingenuity,” said Chu. “When ʻImiloa opened in middle school, it was great to learn about the connections between the stars and the constellations that I knew from Western science and how they played a major role in Polynesian wayfinding.”

For more on Chu, . Noelo is ����Vlog�ٷ�’s research magazine from the .

This article by Native Hawaiian Engagement Director at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Pelehonuamea Harman was first published in .

This summer, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo served as a cultural and intellectual bridge between the New Directions in the Humanities international conference and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

These two global events—centered on Indigenous knowledge, language revitalization, and the role of youth in shaping culture—highlighted ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s leadership at the intersection of scholarship, ʻike kupuna, and community.

Held at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo and chaired by Dr. Patsy Y. Iwasaki, the New Directions in the Humanities conference marked the first time this prestigious gathering was hosted in Hawaiʻi. Previous locations included Paris and Rome, with Lisbon, Portugal, set to host next.

The conference opened with a kīpaepae welcome ceremony, grounding guests in the spirit of the land and people of Hawaiʻi.

Under the theme “Oceanic Journeys,” scholars, students, and cultural practitioners explored the humanities through a Pacific lens. Presentations spanned topics from language reclamation and Indigenous storytelling to cultural continuity and place-based education. A field trip to the luapele—the volcanic landscape sacred to Pele—provided an experiential learning opportunity rooted in Hawaiian ways of knowing and deepened participants’ understanding of the connection between land, language, and identity.

����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo faculty, staff, and students played central roles sharing research, performing mele and oli, and engaging in cross-cultural dialogue. The conference affirmed ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s strength as an Indigenous-serving institution committed to community-centered and place-based education.

Weeks later, ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s voice resonated from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where university representatives participated in the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Under the theme “Youth and the Future of Culture,” the Hawaiʻi delegation led the Language Reclamation Program. Representatives from ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo leadership, , , Ke Kula ʻo ����ɲ���ī�ǰ첹�����Ծ�ʻō���ʻ��, and the National Native American Language Resource Center shared mele, oli, hula, and strategies for revitalizing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

A key facilitator for the folklife festival was ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo alumnus Hālena Kapuni-Reynolds who serves as a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. His leadership helped ensure that Indigenous voices from Hawaiʻi were highlighted with respect and authenticity on this national stage.

����Vlog�ٷ�ors to the Hawaiʻi tent participated in intergenerational dialogue and hands-on activities, learning how language restoration is deeply tied to land, education, and cultural identity. In a powerful gesture of continuity, several “Oceanic Journeys” attendees visited the Hawaiʻi tent to thank the ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo delegation for extending the spirit and ʻike of the conference to the nation’s capital.

Whether we are hosting a conference as kamaʻ�徱�Բ� at our own university or attending as malihini at a national gathering, our relationship to Hawaiʻi remains central to who we are and how we engage. In every setting, we carry this ʻike (knowledge), aloha, and the values rooted in this ʻāina with us.

These gatherings affirmed a shared vision: that the humanities are most powerful when grounded in place, lived experience, and Indigenous knowledge systems. ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s presence at both events underscored its commitment to cultivating future cultural leaders—those who carry tradition forward while envisioning and shaping a resilient future.

The is honoring the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival with a weeklong celebration rooted in culture, creativity and connection.

Starting April 22, will bring together students, faculty and community members for a series of events at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo that honor the legacy of hula.

Kahikuonālani is a poetic name for King Kalākaua, meaning “the seventh of the heavens,” honoring his chiefly lineage. As the “Merrie Monarch,” Kalākaua is celebrated for his dedication to revitalizing Hawaiian culture, hula and traditions during a time of great change.

“The University of Hawaiʻi at �ᾱ����’s celebration of the Merrie Monarch Festival allows us to honor the deep scholarship embedded in hula, elevate the voices of practitioners and scholars alike, foster community collaboration, and reaffirm our kuleana (responsibility) to use our ʻike (knowledge) to serve Hawaiʻi,” said Pelehonuamea Harman, director of Native Hawaiian Engagement at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo.

April 22

Kahikuonālani Mākeke featuring local retail and food vendors
10 a.m.–2 p.m., Campus Center Plaza

April 23 and 24

Cultural presentations and special pop-up exhibit featuring Merrie Monarch history
11 a.m. Mookini Library

April 25

Live music and grab-and-go lunch (while available)
Noon–1:30 p.m., Campus Center Dining Hall Lānai

A free ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo shuttle will run on April 23 through April 26 connecting campus to craft fairs and the Merrie Monarch parade route in Hilo town. ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo will also host an outreach booth at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Lei making, live music

����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s , a major hub for the celebration, is offering hands-on experiences such as hula workshops, lei wili (twist-style lei making), and la����Vlog�ٷ�ala weaving.

“ʻImiloa exists at the intersection of tradition and innovation, and Merrie Monarch week is a powerful reminder of how our ancestral practices continue to evolve and inspire,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director at ʻImiloa. “These programs are not just about observation—they’re about participation. We’re inviting our community to experience the depth of ʻike passed down through hula, storytelling and cultural practice in ways that resonate today.”

Full schedule of ʻImiloa events

Keepers of knowledge

A lineup of respected cultural practitioners will lead presentations throughout the week offering an immersive path into Hawaiian knowledge—whether through movement, material or moʻolelo (stories). Sessions will spotlight practitioners including Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani, Taupōuri Tangarō, Kaʻea Lyons-Yglesias, Lehua Hauanio, Kaʻohu Seto, Kimo Keaulana, Pele and Kekoa Harman, Umi Kai, Keani Kaleimamahu, Cy Bridges, Leialoha Ilae-Kaleimamahu and Aulii Mitchell.

The invites the community on a thrilling prehistoric adventure with Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep. This cutting-edge traveling exhibit delves into the wonders of ancient oceans and its magnificent creatures at ʻ���������Dz�’s Exhibit Hall located on the campus from February 7 through May 4.

“This exhibit brings the mysteries of prehistoric life to the forefront, connecting science, technology and imagination,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director at ʻImiloa. “We are excited to inspire curiosity and provide a unique opportunity to explore the world through the lens of a paleontologist.”

The immersive experience features lifelike animatronics, fossil replicas, and interactive displays that bring prehistoric giants like mosasaurus and tyrannosaurus rex to life.

Exhibit features:

• Immersive theater experience: Board the “Time Roamer” for a 360-degree, 17-minute voyage through Mesozoic oceans, encountering marine giants and narrowly escaping the asteroid that changed history.
• Interactive displays: Engage in hands-on activities such as piecing together ancient landmasses with the Pangea Puzzle or unearthing fossils at a simulated fossil dig.
• Lifelike animatronics: Meet iconic creatures like the ankylosaurus and cryptoclidus, brought to life with realistic motion and sound.

Special programs and events

• Dinos at Dusk: Explore the exhibit after dark with exclusive evening programs on select Thursdays. Some nights are tailored for guests 21 and over.
• Paleontology Lab: Keiki in grades K–5 can dive into fossils and prehistoric life every Wednesday in an interactive after-school program.
• Spring Break Fun: March 17–21, the Hālau Lamakū Spring Break Program offers keiki a week of creative, hands-on activities inspired by prehistoric times.

ʻ���������Dz�’s Expedition Dinosaur also features dinosaur-themed planetarium shows such as Dinosaurs of Antarctica 8K and T. Rex. Admission includes access to all planetarium programs.

Admission

For tickets and more information go to .

This summer, the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s (IfA) welcomed 10 high school teachers from across the state for an exciting week of professional development. The inaugural , held June 10–14, aimed to boost the skills and knowledge of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s high school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teachers.

“TeachAstro aims to connect state-of-the-art astronomy with the students of Hawaiʻi, by sharing IfA’s knowledge and tools with Hawaiʻi teachers, who can then take that back to their classrooms,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� astronomer Michael Liu, a faculty member at IfA and director of TeachAstro. “It was incredibly rewarding to experience the dedication and enthusiasm of our first cohort of teachers to realize this goal.”

Teachers apply IfA insights

Teachers dove into hands-on research projects, attended science talks by IfA astronomers, and participated in curriculum development sessions. They explored the latest astronomical data and software, learning how ����Vlog�ٷ� researchers study star clusters and exoplanets. IfA faculty Michael Nassir, Jennifer van Saders, Jonathan Williams, and Liu led the engaging sessions.

“My experience with TeachAstro was very valuable. I felt it connected me to a stronger community in astronomy, which is something that I cannot obtain from my school as I am the only teacher teaching this topic,” said Laura Daclison, a teacher at Kapolei High School.

The teachers worked on creating lesson plans to bring cutting-edge astronomy content into their classrooms.

“The TeachAstro program was inspiring and rejuvenating. I cannot wait to use all that I have learned in my classroom and better serve my students,” said Stephanie Pickett from Kealakehe High School.

IfA’s mission

Participants also learned about the crucial role that Hawaiʻi telescopes and astronomers play in protecting Earth from potentially hazardous asteroids. They enjoyed stargazing with amateur telescopes at Kapiʻolani Park and took part in online observations using the on Maunakea.

“A key part of IfA’s mission is to bring the wonders and joy of astronomy to the community, through programs to engage learners at many levels. We’re thrilled that TeachAstro is off to such a strong start, and we’re hoping this helps build a network of astronomy educators across Hawaiʻi as this program continues in future summers,” said Doug Simons, IfA director.

Supported by a grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the TeachAstro program will return next summer with an expanded group of teachers. Applications will open this winter.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) students on Hawaiʻi Island have named a new instrument at the Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope that will help astronomers study the universe in greater detail. The Hawaiian naming project is part of the program at at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

The instrument’s name, Wenaokeao, meaning “earliest glow of light,” was given after extensive research by high school haumāna (students) from Hawaiian medium education school Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, who are interns in the A Hua He Inoa program at ʻImiloa. The name describes the soft glow of the rising sun seen during the fleeting moments when the full Moon lowers on the horizon, just before dawn breaks. Students chose the name after they visited CFHT on the summit of Maunakea, and were also advised by Larry Kimura, an associate professor of and at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo.

“Ua pili kēia mau manaʻo o Wenaokeao i kēia mea ʻo ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi ʻoiai ma loko o nā māhele o kēia inoa holokoʻa ʻo Wenaokeao, ʻo ka wena ʻana ʻo ia ka pili ana i nā kala i ʻike ʻia ma ka wā e puka mai ana ka lā. A ʻo ke ao, ʻo ia ka lani holoʻokoʻa a me nā kala a pau, a no laila ua loaʻa mai kēia inoa. He pilina ko ia mau mea ʻelua ʻoiai ma ka mīkini loaʻa kekahi ʻāpana e kilo kikoʻī ai i nā kala o ka hōkū a no laila ua manaʻo ua paʻa loa kēia inoa o Wenaokeao ʻoiai like kona hana i ia pō e like me ka mīkini kilo ʻana i nā kala. No laila ua manaʻo he kūpono no ka waiho ʻana ma kēia manaʻo o ka inoa.”

“ (When we dissect the name ‘Wenaokeao’, we look at the Hawaiian words “ wena” and “ao.” “ Wena” references the colors seen in the morning sunrise. “Ao” is the entire world that we see and all of the colors in it. These combined meanings correlate with the instrument because the instrument helps to observe the colors of light emitting from stars),” said Tinai Liusa, a senior at Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu.

Planet, magnetic field detection

Previously known as “Vision,” the CFHT project combines existing instruments to expand scientific capabilities. The upgrade will allow astronomers to detect magnetic fields and planets around distant stars in a larger wavelength simultaneously.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the students to practice cultural naming. It’s an honor for us to participate in the process and then to be gifted a name for this instrument,” said Mary Beth Laychak, director of communications and community engagement at CFHT.

Merging culture, science

The A Hua He Inoa program, led by ʻImiloa, creates a pathway where language and culture are at the core of modern scientific practices, melding Indigenous culture and science locally, nationally and worldwide. Previous naming projects include Pōwehi, the first black hole ever pictured, and ʻOumuamua, the first interstellar object discovered.

“Haʻaheo maoli au i kēia ʻauna A Hua He Inoa no kēia kapa inoa ʻana iā Wenaokeao, he ʻāwili maoli i ka ʻike Hawaiʻi i kēia mea hana kilo hōkū. ʻO ko lākou paʻu nui ʻana ma kēia hana, he hoʻohui maoli ia o ka ʻike ʻōiwi o Hawaiʻi me ka ʻepekema e ʻike ai kākou i ke koʻikoʻi o kēia ʻano ʻike kuʻuna ma ka hoʻokele ʻana i ko kākou kuanaʻike o ka ʻō�Բ��𲹴�.” “(I am really proud of our A Hua He Inoa cohort for their contribution to naming Wenaokeao. Their dedication in this process reflects a harmonious blend of place-based knowledge and scientific exploration, enriching our celestial understanding and underscoring the vital role of our Hawaiian language and perspective in guiding our view of the universe),” said Kuʻulei Bezilla, project planner at A Hua He Inoa.

A special moon-themed exhibit opened at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center engaging learners of all ages to embark on a fascinating journey into the realm of the mahina (Moon), connect with Hawaiian practices, and explore science, technology, engineering, and math or STEM. Kaulana Mahina: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around! will welcome visitors through June 9 at ʻImiloa’s Exhibit Hall located on the campus.

Exhibit features:

• Learn the sequence and names of each of the 30 Hawaiian moon phases.
• Discover the tale of Lonomuku and her role in the Hawaiian moon calendar.
• Operate a 3D model illustrating the Moon’s orbit around the Earth and Sun.
• Marvel at NASA’s visualization of the changing Moon phases.
• Experiment with magnets to understand the gravitational pull between the Earth, Moon and Sun, influencing tides.
• Step into the shoes of a fisherman or farmer in an interactive game navigating through the moon phases.
• Participate in a discussion to share personal experiences on how kaulana mahina affects your life.

“We’re thrilled to be the first location on Hawaiʻi Island to offer this exciting and newly developed exhibit,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa. “With spring break right around the corner, and the internationally acclaimed Merrie Monarch Festival happening in Hilo next month, the timing of this exhibit at ʻImiloa is perfect for our island ʻohana and visitors to explore the science and cultural perspectives of our kaulana mahina, our Hawaiian moon phases.”

Created by the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE), Kaulana Mahina: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around!, is an interactive science and cultural exhibit that is designed in collaboration with ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� lecturer Kalei Nuʻuhiwa and other kaulana mahina practitioners. The traveling exhibit showcases the mahina, its relationship to environmental practices such as fishing and planting, and scientific
observation through Hawaiian culture.

“Through this exhibit, we hope to encourage the integration of traditional cultural practices into our lives and to inspire the next generation,” said Alakaʻi Aglipay, project manager of INPEACE’s Kaulele Program. “We appreciate ʻImiloa‘s shared passion for learning and providing INPEACE the platform to inspire the communities on Hawaiʻi Island to explore the intersection of Hawaiian expertise and science.”

Admission information

Admission to the Kaulana Mahina: Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around! exhibit is included in ʻImiloa‘s admission fee, with complimentary access granted to ʻImiloa members.

For ticket information go to .

Cutting-edge upgrades are sure to wow stargazers flocking to , a world-class center for science education located on the campus. NASA funded a $720,000 upgrade for ʻImiloa which is now equipped with a 10K-resolution planetarium system using 10 laser-illuminated projectors, superior graphic performance and new features that will greatly enhance user experience and the center’s unique science and wayfinding programs.

“We are excited to unveil this brand new state-of-the-art planetarium system that will be an immense benefit to our community and science partners across many different disciplines,” said ʻImiloa Executive Director Kaʻiu Kimura. “We invite everyone to come enjoy this enhanced immersive space and see our universe as never before.”

First in Hawaiʻi

The 10K-resolution planetarium system will be one of the first of its kind in the country, and also a first in Hawaiʻi. Combined with increased computing power and a new software platform, the upgrade is geared toward significantly boosting ʻImiloa’s planetarium performance and creating new scientific journeys for visitors.

“We want to mahalo NASA for supporting this upgrade and our vendor, SSIA Technologies,” Kimura said. “This new system will allow us to greatly expand the educational tools available, from data visualization to video streaming and beyond.”

ʻImiloa closed its doors for two weeks in November so the new system could be installed and to conduct facility maintenance. The science and cultural museum will return to its normal operating schedule on November 22 (9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Wednesdays–Sundays).

ʻImiloa will be closed for Thanksgiving and reopen on November 24 for its Black Hole Friday event and special Pink Floyd planetarium program.

The will lead a three-university consortium that was awarded a $6.6 million, five-year grant from the (USDE) to establish a National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NALRC). The award is the first of its kind to lead, advocate for and implement training and resource development for Indigenous language education pathways in the U.S.

“This is not only an acknowledgment of the value of our Native languages but is also a testament to the hard work our community has put into renormalizing our ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) over the past 40 years, while also working to uplift other ʻōlelo ʻōiwi (Indigenous languages) nationally and internationally,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, director of the ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo Hawaiʻi ʻImiloa Institute and ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s . “Our national team is honored to receive this grant, and we are grateful for the support of Senator Brian Schatz, who authored and shepherded the passage of the NALRC Act.”

“Culturally based instruction is critical to promoting and revitalizing Native languages,” said Schatz, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “This funding will directly support educational institutions like the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in developing resources and fostering collaboration to promote the use of Native American languages across the country.”

����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo is considered a worldwide leader in advancing Hawaiian and Indigenous language and culture revitalization.

“I am thrilled to see the years of effort by our Hawaiian language faculty getting national recognition in this way,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin. “The future work with our Indigenous partners through this center will enable us to further revitalize languages across the U.S.”

����Vlog�ٷ� President David Lassner agreed, “This new grant recognizes the strength we have built within ����Vlog�ٷ� and provides an opportunity to share knowledge and solutions from Hawaiʻi with native communities seeking to save their languages throughout the country.”

Along with ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo, the consortium includes the and in Wisconsin, programs that have long-standing ties with the ʻImiloa Institute and have been working relentlessly to reclaim their languages.

“With the opportunities presented in our shared visions and unity, we grow stronger together and keep one another from feeling alone in our efforts to achieve language stability,” said University of Alaska Southeast Professor Lance X’unei Twitchell, who earned his PhD at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani.

Migizi Michael Sullivan, Native American studies director at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, went on to say, “The center will be a place where Indigenous communities and groups can draw inspiration, information on best practices, and share strategies to renormalize the use of our languages, to benefit present and future generations of Indigenous people.”

About Hawaiʻi ʻImiloa Institute

The institute was established in 2023 as a collaborative effort between ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s Hawaiian Language Consortium partners including ʻImiloa Center, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, , , , and the . Building on 40 years of experience in revitalizing and renormalizing the Hawaiian language and supporting Indigenous languages around the world, the institute will further support the P–12, undergraduate and graduate programs, and community engagement throughout Hawaiʻi and other Indigenous communities and will serve as an incubator and accelerator to support native language normalization.

About the University of Alaska Southeast

Part of the University of Alaska system, the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) has campuses in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. The Alaska Native Languages and Studies program at UAS examines three primary components of modern and historical Alaska Native life: language, art and society. Taught by Alaska Native professors, Indigenous language study courses focus on revitalization through learning, documentation and community activities. Students within the Alaska Native Languages programs develop a strong foundation in language learning, use and advocacy. UAS has unique experience in teaching languages with especially intricate grammars and phonologies such as Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian.

About Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University is located in the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in Wisconsin and has extensive experience in working within a tribal college system and Bureau of Indian Education initiatives. The Lac Courte Oreilles reservation is also the site of the most developed Native American language immersion program outside of Hawaiʻi, the Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute.