Updates to the Michael Krauss Language Map

In 1974, linguist Michael Krauss published his authoritative Native Peoples and Languages of Alaska map, after fifteen years of research. Since that time, the map has become an instrumental teaching tool in classrooms and universities, and, has received no significant challenges or revisions.

This year, the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC) at UAF and the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) at UAA have released an updated version of the map, with new languages and the addition of Alaska Native place names. A zoomable version of the map is available on Alaskool.

At Title VII, we're promoting the release of the map with an ASDTube video. The video will include an interview with Jim Kerr, who assisted in creating the digital version of the map, and audio of native speakers pronouncing different place names. So far, we've had volunteers for Unangax, Tlingit, Yup'ik, and Gwich'in Athabascan, and Den'aina. Please contact us if you would be interested in taking part! We are looking for volunteers who speak the following:

• Inupiaq

• Koyukon

• Tanana

• Han

• Tanacross

• Upper Tanana

• Ahtna

• Alutiiq

• Haida

• Tsimshian

Please note that ASDTube is a platform only accessible to ASD employees, and requires a secure log-in. So any audio we record will only be accessible to District employees.

Title VII will be receiving approximately 200 copies of the new map from ISER. If you are interested in obtaining a copy for your school, please let us know! You can contact us by clicking "contact" in the navigation bar.