Today, the U.S. Department of Education awarded 28 new three-year grants totaling $35.3 million through the Alaska Native Education (ANE) program. The ANE program recognizes the important roles that Alaska Native languages and cultures play in the educational success and long-term well-being of Alaska Native students. ANE grants were made to Alaska Native Organizations and entities in Alaska governed predominately by Alaska Natives. These grants support innovative projects that recognize and address the unique educational needs of Alaska Native children and adults.
This year’s projects include critical activities for successful school communities. The newly funded projects align with Secretary Cardona’s priorities and will help ensure an equitable recovery so all students can thrive.
“I am excited to announce 28 new Alaska Native Education program projects, which will help better meet the needs of Alaska Native students at this critical moment and continue to strengthen the relationship between the Department and Alaska Native Organizations,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Every Alaska Native student—in rural and remote villages, in regional hubs, and in urban centers—should have access to high-quality and culturally responsive educational opportunities. These projects help fulfill that obligation by supporting existing partnerships between students, families, schools, and Alaska Native Organizations.”Grantees under the ANE program use their funds for such activities as the development of curricula and education programs that address the education needs of Alaska Native students, and the development and operation of student enrichment programs in science and mathematics. Eligible activities also include training and professional development for educators, early childhood and parent outreach, and enrichment programs.
Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Alaska Native Organizations and entities located in Alaska that are governed predominately by Alaska Natives received $85 million to support innovative projects that recognize and address the unique educational needs of Alaska Native children and adults. To ensure projects funded by the ARP and the new ANE program projects announced today are well supported, the U.S. Department of Education recently conducted
Tribal Consultation asking for input on how, among other topics, the ANE program office can meaningfully improve reporting procedures, technical assistance, and peer reviewer recruitment. The input provided will be acted upon immediately, helping to ensure reporting burden is reduced and additional peer-to-peer learning opportunities are more readily available.“I am proud to announce that 20 entities, including Alaska Native tribes and Native organizations, and Alaska Native-led schools and non-profits have received a total of 28 Alaska Native Educational Equity Program (ANEP) grants this year. I have long been a strong advocate for this program because these funds address many needs throughout Alaska, including academic and postsecondary success, language preservation, culturally relevant curriculum development, and teacher professional development in ways that maximize Native ways of knowing and learning,” said U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. “Alaska’s Native educators and leaders have a proven track record of providing culturally relevant supportive services that enable Alaska Native youth and adults to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. I am grateful to the many Alaska Native educators and tribal leaders who are committed to advancing the success of Alaska Native youth through the many innovative projects these grants will fund.”
More information about the ANE program can be found at here. Below are lists of new awards listed by grantee, project name, and award amount.
Alaska Native Education Program Awards (First year award amount)
Grantee |
Project Name |
Award Amount |
Alaska Pacific University |
Tumyaraa: The Path Bridging Program Project |
$817,394 |
Arctic Slope Community Foundation |
Aullaaġvik — Indigenous Educator Apprenticeship Development |
$784,256 |
Bering Strait School District |
Circle of Learning |
$1,577,682 |
Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation |
Bristol Bay Teaching and Learning Collaborative Project |
$1,419,852 |
Calista Education and Culture, Inc. |
The Yuuyaraq Cultural Immersion Camps project |
$2,264,012 |
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska |
Kei Naltseen Haa Sgóoni (Our School is Being Strengthened) |
$1,243,485 |
Clare Swan Early Learning Center |
La’a Kenu Enhancement |
$778,632 |
Cook Inlet Tribal Council |
Schoolyard Enhancement program |
$1,278,286 |
Douglas Indian Association |
Haa Shuka Kaawu Jooni Aya Oowahaan (We Are Our Ancestor's Dream); Anax Yaa Andagan Ye Daakahidi: (Where the Sun Rays Touch First) Cultural Historic Education and Language Preservation Center |
$1,499,770 |
Doyon Foundation |
Doyon Languages Online in the Classroom Project |
$145,621 |
Fairbanks Native Association |
Fairbanks Native Association’s Native Learners Project |
$1,219,608 |
Goldbelt Heritage Foundation |
Haa Shuká Tundatáani |
$797,074 |
Goldbelt Heritage Foundation |
Yee Yeex̱ Kawdliyáas' |
$464,004 |
Kawerak, Inc. |
Early Language and Culture Revitalization: Language Immersion Project |
$750,000 |
Klawock City School District |
SOAR |
$918,360 |
Knik Tribe, Inc. |
Building For the Future |
$1,499,809 |
Knik Tribe, Inc. |
Talgunda Huhghighilyahda Dena’ina (Ready for Tomorrow) |
$1,499,568 |
Knik Tribe, Inc. |
Kununi a Dena’Ina (Gathering of Food) |
$1,447,486 |
Knik Tribe, Inc. |
Alaska STEAM Hub |
$1,462,752 |
Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula |
POWER UP Project, Promoting Opportunity, Wisdom, Education, and Resilience for Underserved Populations |
$1,127,885 |
Saint Mary's School District |
Saint Mary’s City School District Yupʻik Culture Project |
$911,683 |
Sealaska Heritage Institute |
Opening the Box: Culturally Responsive STEAM Education for Middle School |
$2,636,381 |
Sealaska Heritage Institute |
Indigenizing and Transforming Teacher and Administrator Preparation |
$2,158,514 |
Sealaska Heritage Institute |
Át Koowaháa: Expanding the Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy Program’s Dual Language Pathway for Alaska Native Students project |
$2,136,591 |
Sealaska Heritage Institute |
Our Ancestors’ Echoes: Xaad Kil, Sm’algyax, and Lingit |
$1,909,341 |
Tyonek Tribal Conservation District |
Tyonek Youth Conservation Science Program for Alaska Native Youth |
$358,100 |
Yukon Koyukuk School District |
The MACSS Project - Math And Computer Science for Students |
$1,244,982 |
Yukon Koyukuk School District |
Yukon Koyukuk School District CAREERS |
$961,828 |