We’re doing a little something different for day 27 of Alaska Native Heritage Month, and highlighting several Alaska Native language books. There are 23 Alaska Native languages, and even more dialects, so this is just a sampling of some language books from different regions, authored by Alaska Native sources. Whether it’s a children’s language book, a dictionary, or kit with audio/visual aids, there are many ways to start learning, or deepens your understanding of, Indigenous Alaska languages.

A Sampling:

“Yup’ik Phrase and Conversation Lessons” by Yup’ik speaker Anna Jacobson

“Wilgyigyet – Learn the Colors in Sma’lgyax” by The Haayk Foundation, illustrations by Tsimshian artist Huk Yuunsk David Lang

“Dinaakkanaaga Ts’inh Huyoza: Junior Dictionary for Central Koyukon Athabaskan” by Kuyokon scholar Eliza Jones

“Lingít G̲unéi Sh Tóo Dultóow Xʼúxʼ: Workbook for Beginning to Study Lingít” by Tlingit scholar X̱’unei Lance Twitchell.

“Iñupiatun Uqaluit Taniktun Sivuninit: Iñupiat to English Dictionary” by Inupiat scholar Edna Ahgeak MacLean.

“Alaskan Haida Phrasebook” by Haida scholar Erma Lawrence.

“Kodiak Alutiiq Language Conversational Phrasebook” by Alutiiq scholar April Gale Laktonen Councellor.

“Gwich’in Verb Paradigms” by Gwich’in scholar Hishinlai’ Peter.

“Chistochina Advanced Reader” by Athena leader Lena Charley.