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Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina

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Kenai Peninsula College Course Promotes Dena’Ina Language

April 12, 2016

Helen Dick and Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart

Dena’ina Elder Helen Dick and Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart co-teach the Dena’ina language class at Kenai Peninsula College.

Estelle Thomson wants to honor the people whose land she lives on. Danielle Self wants to share knowledge with her children. And Bunny Swan Gease wants to make up for lost time.

Thomson, Self and Swan Gease are participating in Kenai Peninsula College’s introductory Dena’ina language course for their own reasons. But the participants share at least one common belief – that Dena’ina, the indigenous language of the Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina people, is important and deserves a place in the community.

“I feel that we missed out on that rich part of our lives because it was not popular to speak our language,” said Swan Gease, a tribal member who grew up knowing and speaking little Dena’ina, despite her heritage. “But now it is great.”

The course is offered through the Alaska Native Studies Program and meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings through December. With 19 students enrolled, it overviews basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

In addition to teaching students the fundamentals of a complex language that has five dialects, the course aims to preserve an important part of Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina culture.

Sandra Shaginoff-Stuart, the college’s Rural and Native Student Services Coordinator and co-instructor of the course, said there are fewer than 30 people today who speak fluent Dena’ina.

The course is a good start toward improving that number, Shaginoff-Stuart said, but there must ultimately be lifelong advocates if the language is to thrive.

“We’re hoping to find that person or group of people who is willing to make that commitment,” she said.

Sondra Stuart writing Dena'ina greeting

Sondra Stuart, Rural and Native Students Services Coordinator at Kenai Peninsula College, writes a Dena’ina greeting on a white board during a class at Kenaitze Indian Tribe.

During a September class, students participated in hands-on, group exercises. Co-instructor, Helen Dick, who is fluent in Dena’ina, placed objects on the floor, said them in Dena’ina and asked students to repeat the words.

After a few rounds of practice, students closed their eyes and received an object to hide under their coats or in bags on their laps. Then they took turns guessing which classmate had which object – speaking, of course, in Dena’ina.

One person had a coffee cup – “chashga.” One had a small cooking pot – “vak’edleshi” or “dudlik.” Another had a metal spoon – “lugheshga.”

Students agreed it was a helpful exercise.

“I was so excited. I said, ‘Wow, that’s a great way to learn,’” said Lucy Daniels, who works in the tribe’s Na’ini Social Services area. “It’s fun. That’s the key – it’s a fun a way to learn.”

For Maria Hargrove, who also works in Na’ini, the group approach helped reduce her anxiety of learning something new.

And it also was effective.

“I recognize them (the objects) more with these fun activities,” Hargrove said.

Thomson, who was hired by the tribe as a Traditional Healer this past spring, has studied four or five indigenous languages. She said it’s interesting to see the correlations and similarities across those languages, despite their differences.

Beyond learning, Thomson said she signed up for the course as a show of respect for the Dena’ina people.

“It is important to honor the people whose land I live on.” said Thomson, who is Yu’pik and from Hooper Bay, Alaska.

class taught by Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart and Helen Dick

Students study Dena’ina language in a class at Kenai Peninsula College this semester taught by Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart and Helen Dick.

Meanwhile, Self, also of Na’ini, has been taking knowledge from the classroom and sharing it at home with her children. During the September course, she learned the Dena’ina words for cooking ingredients such as cranberries, sugar and cream.

Now her kids will know those words, too.

“They’ll be really excited,” Self said.

Linda Ross, who is Dena’ina, said she is sad that she never learned the language at a younger age and feels deprived.

But now, years later, she is thankful to have the opportunity.

“I’m grateful for this class,” Ross said. “It’s an honor to be here.”

Filed Under: Stories

Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Locations

Kenaitze Administration • (907) 335-7200
Dena'ina Wellness Center • (907) 335-7500
Early Childhood Center • (907) 335-7260
Yaghanen Youth Programs • (907) 335-7290
Tyotkas Elder Services • (907) 335-7280
Na’ini Family and Social Services • (907) 335-7600
Kenaitze Tribal Court • (907) 335-7219

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Heidi King, NCAC II, CDCS

Recovery Support Manager/Counselor
Heidi has eight years of experience in the chemical dependency field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from the University of Alaska. She is a nationally accredited Chemical Dependency Clinician, and a state accredited Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor.

Heidi has a background in providing residential chemical dependency counseling. She is certified as a Conflict Resolution and Relapse Prevention Trainer with the National Association of Addiction Counselors. She is also a certified Peer Supports Trainer and Supervisor through the Alaska Commission of Behavioral Health Certification.

When she’s not serving un’ina, Heidi teaches yoga as a certified and registered instructor. She also enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time with her child, spouse, and numerous pets, camping all over Alaska.

Heidi provides chemical dependency counseling services in group settings and individual sessions.

Heidi can personally relate to chemical dependency and is passionate about helping those seeking recovery supports. For Heidi, healing is community, and community is an important part of connection with one’s self. She sees the positive ripple effect that healing can provide throughout the community.

Fridrik Rafn Gudmundsson, MSW, LCSW

Recovery Support Manager
Fridrik has earned his master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He studied massage therapy in Iceland, and became fascinated with the mind-body connection. He completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy with a psychology minor.

Fridrik has had the opportunity to live in four countries and to travel to many others. He counts finding and marrying the love of his life and adopting his son among his greatest accomplishments. He is grateful to be able to live in this beautiful and sacred part of the world and to serve the Tribe and un’ina, “those who come to us.”

When he’s not serving un’ina, Fridrik loves spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, traveling, and having fun. He enjoys learning, listening to music, and taking time for spiritual practice.

Fridrik provides assessments and individual, family and group psychotherapy at Chuq’eya Qenq’a, Birch Tree House.

For Fridrik, coming to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe felt like coming home. The more he learned about the Tribe and its history, as well as the history of the Alaska Native people, the more he knew he had found a place to be of service.

Teresa A. Ford, MSW, LMSW

Behavioral Health Clinician
Teresa earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Limestone University in South Carolina, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Teresa’s experience includes serving homeless and other disadvantaged populations, as well as work in outpatient rehabilitation, hospice, chemical dependency, adult and adolescent counseling, and prevention.

Teresa appreciates the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s traditional values. She sees them as a driving force in how we treat ourselves and others, and how we serve those in need of help.

When not serving un’ina, “those who come to us,” Teresa spends her time bonding with her family, creating and traveling. She also enjoys learning about Alaska Native culture, exploring new hobbies, and gardening.

Teresa provides individual, family, and group therapy services. Teresa takes a variety of approaches to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Teresa has always been a helper at heart. Being able to overcome the things she experienced growing up in South Carolina empowered and inspired her to help others navigate through their life journeys.