Learn
Alaska is home to over 20 distinct indigenous languages — each a living system of knowledge, identity, and relationship to the land. Every language that goes silent takes an irreplaceable way of knowing the world with it.
20+
Living Languages
in Alaska
~14,000
Estimated Speakers
across all Alaska Native languages
11
Cultural Groups
represented at ANHC
∞
Words Lost Forever
if we stop now
Alaska Native Languages
Each bar shows estimated language vitality — a measure of transmission to younger generations, speaker numbers, and community use.
Western & Southwest Alaska
Say hello
"Cama-i"
— Hello / greetings
The most widely spoken Alaska Native language, with a strong writing system and active bilingual education programs in the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta.
Arctic & Northwest Alaska
Say hello
"Aŋaan"
— Hello
Spoken in Arctic communities from Kotzebue to Barrow. Iñupiaq has two major dialects — North Slope and Malimiut. Revitalization efforts are growing through language nests and immersion programs.
Resources
Southcentral Alaska (Cook Inlet)
Say hello
"Hch'u q'u"
— How are you?
The Dena'ina language of the Cook Inlet region is the language of the people on whose land ANHC stands. Active revitalization led by the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and dedicated linguists.
Southeast Alaska
Say hello
"Wáa sá iyatee?"
— How are you?
Tlingit has a complex tonal system with many sounds not found in other languages. Language nests and university programs at UAS and SHI are driving a new generation of speakers.
St. Lawrence Island
Say hello
"Assirpaghaanga"
— I am well
One of Alaska's healthiest indigenous languages, spoken on St. Lawrence Island with cross-Bering ties to Russia. Children on St. Lawrence Island are still being raised speaking Siberian Yupik.
Resources
Kodiak Island & Kenai Peninsula
Say hello
"Cama-i"
— Hello
Sugt'stun is experiencing a revitalization renaissance through the Alutiiq Museum's language programs and the Yugtun Atautchikun ('one Yupik') movement connecting Alutiiq to Central Yup'ik.
Resources
Aleutian Islands & Pribilof Islands
Say hello
"Aang"
— Yes / Hello
Unangam Tunuu has two major dialects — Eastern and Atkan. Despite small speaker numbers, community language programs in Unalaska, Atka, and the Pribilofs are preserving and teaching the language.
Resources
Prince of Wales Island (Hydaburg)
Say hello
"Háw'aa"
— Thank you
Haida is a language isolate — unrelated to any other language family in the world. With fewer than 30 fluent speakers remaining, intensive documentation and immersion programs are underway.
Resources
Copper River Delta
Say hello
"Xat"
— I / me (first word learners often learn)
Marie Smith Jones, the last fluent Eyak speaker, passed in 2008. However, her daughter and linguists have documented thousands of words. A new generation of learners is awakening the language.
Resources
ANHC's Role
The Alaska Native Heritage Center partners with tribal language programs, universities, and community organizations to support Alaska Native language revitalization across the state.
At ANHC, you will hear Alaska Native languages spoken — in cultural demonstrations, in greetings from our staff, and in our programming. Language is not an artifact. It is alive, and so are we.
Oral Tradition
Language lives in stories, songs, and ceremony — not just dictionaries. ANHC amplifies these voices.
Language Nests
Immersion programs for young children are the most effective path to a new generation of speakers.
Documentation
Recording elders and fluent speakers creates archives that learners can use for generations.
Digital Revitalization
Apps, audio archives, and digital dictionaries are making language learning more accessible than ever.
Language revitalization is a community effort. Here's how to get involved.
Listen
Watch ANHC cultural videos. Listen to elders speak. Let the sounds become familiar.
Amplify
Share Alaska Native language content. Follow indigenous language learners and teachers online.
Support
Donate to ANHC and tribal language programs. Language work needs sustained funding.
