Published Oct 10, 2023 by Ariane Aramburo

Now, as a filmmaker and professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks — where she also serves as chair for the Department of Theatre and Film — she encourages her students to immerse themselves in their projects. UAF’s theater department is nearly 60 years old, but the film program has only been around for 11 years.

“So the more students can have the confidence to go and pursue their dreams — that’s what we want to give them while they’re here with us at UAF,” Salganek said.

She said she also looks forward to more homegrown filmmakers eventually making their way back to their home state of Alaska.

Published Oct 10, 2023 by Alaska Native News

The annual fall lecture series Evening at Egan continues on October 13 with the second in a series of four lectures at the University of Alaska Southeast Auke Lake campus. 

“The Vicissitudes of Aging & Brain Health: What Parents May Never Have Told You!” is a presentation by Dr. Rosellen M. Rosich, PhD, MA, CDP, CADDCT, Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Aging is a biological, psychological, and sociological process and is a universal truth that everyone must contend with. As a process it is made up of gains and losses as we grow and develop across the lifespan. The brain, being the seat of thought, reasoning, problem solving, emotional regulation, sensory motor operation, and other important biological functions, plays a major role in developmental advances as well decline. Research in this area has come a long way over the years in uncovering modifiable lifestyle behaviors one may utilize in keeping a healthy brain and how to contend with situations where brain changes may be non-modifiable. This presentation covers a brief overview of typical brain functioning, pathology, newer research on how to keep the brain healthy, and ends with a discussion of how views of the lifespan may impact beliefs regarding brain pathology and approaches to caregiving of individuals with dementia.

Carin Silkaitis, Dean of Arts & Sciences remarked, “Understanding the intricacies of aging and maintaining brain health is paramount, especially in today’s fast-paced world. Dr. Rosich’s extensive expertise in aging and cognitive health promises attendees an enlightening and thought-provoking evening. Her insights can change how we view aging, dispelling myths and uncovering lesser-known truths. I hope to gain valuable insights into how our brains evolve, what factors contribute to cognitive vitality, and how to foster a healthy aging process. We invite students, faculty, staff, and the general public to join us for this enriching experience. Join us for an intellectually stimulating evening that promises to broaden horizons and stimulate discussions.”

Published Oct 10, 2023 by Alaska Native News

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), in consortia with Ka Haka ‘Ula O Keʻelikōlani (College of Hawaiian Language) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, have been awarded a grant in the amount of $6,593,862 by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. The consortium will work to implement the project “Aanikoobijigeng, Connecting Generations.”

The consortium aims to establish a National Native American Language Resource Center (N- NALRC) in order to provide high-quality capacity-building services to Regional Centers, technical assistance providers, Tribal organizations, and institutions of higher education, in order to support the revitalization of Native American languages.

Activities will be co-implemented by non-profit partners, Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute (Waadoo), ‘Aha Pūnana Leo (‘APL), and Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu (Nāwahī). Consortium members are based in Alaska, Wisconsin, and Hawaiʻi. Languages and tribes represented are X̱aad Kíl, the traditional language of the Haida people; Lingít Yoo X̱ʼatángi, the traditional language of the Tlingit people; Smʼalgyax, the traditional language of the Tsimshian people; Ojibwe from the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe; and Native Hawaiian from Hawaiʻi.