ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — After the remnants of Typhoon Halong devastated several coastal villages in Alaska, hundreds were displaced and airlifted to the state’s largest city, Anchorage. In the wake of the disaster, children have found solace and familiarity through a Yup'ik language immersion program designed to help them retain their culture while adapting to urban life.
Rayann Martin, a 10-year-old evacuee, expressed her excitement about learning Yup'ik in school. I’m learning more Yup’ik, she said. I use the language to communicate with my family and friends, which makes me feel closer to home. Many families lost their homes in the flooding, which destroyed nearly 700 houses, and some children there cherish the opportunity to reconnect with their indigenous language.
The Yup'ik immersion program currently serves 71 students who evacuated from places like Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. The Anchorage School District received a federal grant for the program nearly a decade ago, which has grown significantly since its inception. Principal Darrell Berntsen, whose own native heritage fuels his passion for cultural preservation, welcomes displaced families to this nurturing educational environment.
“We want to support these kids in the best way possible,” Berntsen said. The program not only teaches Yup'ik but also helps bridge the gap for many families, allowing them to share cultural stories and experiences.
As they participate, some kids like Ellyne Aliralria are also dealing with the emotional toll of displacement. “We’re homesick,” she shared, recalling how floodwaters affected her village. However, children in the immersion program like Lilly Loewen, who isn’t Yup'ik, find joy in learning a new language and connecting with their peers.
Berntsen plans to implement various activities that reflect traditional hunting and fishing methods, reinforcing the cultural ties that connect these students to their roots. The Yup'ik immersion program emerges as a beacon of hope, fostering a future where children can reclaim their heritage amidst the challenges of displacement.
