Cultural Programming
Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Work
Language is the expression of our culture and our land. We cannot have one without the others. We cannot describe our culture and our land if we do not have language.
(Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee, 2006 )
2026 Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Summit
The Bristol Bay Foundation, in partnership with other regional entities, hosts a Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Summit bi-annually. The Language Summit brings together Dena’ina, Yupiaq/Yup’ik, and Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Elders, speakers, teachers, and learners to connect, discuss, and support existing region-wide efforts in language revitalization. Participants discuss and reflect on welcoming and supportive learning environments (language agreements), language and cultural materials, archiving, language learning practices, observe demonstrations of proven language teaching methods, and learn about approaches to developing language teachers.
The 2026 Summit took place on April 24th & 25th, 2026 at Bristol Bay High School in Naknek.
Our BBF team was honored to host the first in-region Language Summit. We extend our deep gratitude to all of those that participated and supported this year’s Summit. This incredible gathering would not have been possible without the support of gracious community and regional partners, engaged community members and students, honored Elders, dedicated educators and learners, and so many others that lifted this event and truly made it shine.
The 2026 Language Summit was connective, joyful, and true. Quyana - Chin’an - Quyanaa for being a part of it.
To learn about the Summit, please see the official program for details on the schedule, breakout sessions, keynote presentations, and more by clicking the orange button below.
Check out some highlights and the report from the 2026 Language Summit below!
2026 Language Summit Keynote Presentation and Dance Performance Recordings:
Weren’t able to make the Summit in person this year? That’s okay! We recorded our Friday, April 24th morning session and keynote presentation, as well as the Imarpigmiut dance group from Togiak.
Click the orange buttons below to view Chris and Lonny’s keynote presentation or watch the Imarpigmiut group perform via the Bristol Bay Borough School District’s YouTube channel!
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Christopher Liu (Egalaaq) and Lonny Strunk (Alaskuk) are Yup’ik computer scientists from the Lower Kuskokwim region. Egalaaq was born and raised in Mamterilleq (Bethel), his mother is from Nunapicuaq and father is from Taiwan. Alaskuk grew up in Kuinerraq (Quinhagak), his mother is from Kuinerraq and father is from Washington and Oregon.
From building online language tools as a hobby to building a business, Christopher and Lonny will share their journey behind Yuarcuun Technologies. Their keynote will highlight the meaningful Yup’ik language and historical insights they’ve learned along their journey.
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Join Qak’aq Margie Frost and Aaron Frost as they lead the Imarpigmiut dancers on the main stage at the 2026 Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Summit!
Keynote Presentation and Dance Performance Descriptions:
Awakening together
Allrilurmi Esgartukut - Qit’ach’idaznit - Ellangukut Quyumta
Bristol Bay
Indigenous Language
Strategic Plan
The Bristol Bay Indigenous Language Strategic Plan (BBILSP) aims to create a strategic, region-wide plan for revitalizing the Alutiiq, Dena’ina, and Yup’ik languages. The plan was created for the region with community voice at the center. We hope that our region and communities can use it as a planning tool and to get aligned in our language work across the bay.
BBF in partnership with Raven’s Group gathered input from parents, Elders, Tribes, community members, learners, and language teachers, all four school districts and school boards using various feedback methods. This information was analyzed and put together to build the plan.
Chin’an, Quyanaa, Quyana Cakneq to all who participated in listening sessions or completed the survey!
In May of 2026, our team received the final BBILSP and “how to use the plan” guide. While BBF contracted with Raven’s Group to create the plan, this plan belongs to the region. Tribes, schools, community members, and organizations should review both documents and adopt or implement parts of the plan that work with their language efforts and goals.
