By Jessica Edwards
Students were honored at a graduation ceremony in Klukwan Monday after
completing two-year certification programs in traditional Northwest coast arts or
internships in tourism host training.
Twenty-six students shook hands with University of Alaska
Southeast’s Sitka Campus director Jeffrey Johnston, some more than once for earning
multiple honors. "This is really exciting because it marks an accomplishment to see
people graduate and reach educational goals," he said.
Ten earned a UAS endorsement in Northwest Coast Arts by completing at
least 10 courses in an artist training program emphasizing carving, basketry or weaving as
well as additional courses in history, culture and language. Johnston noted the grads were
the first to earn the endorsement under the new program.
Ten students were awarded a UAS certificate for completing the artist
training program, and ten completed host-training internships through the Tlingit-Haida
Cultural Resource Center in Juneau.
Interns completed either one or two years of host training and lead
tours through the Jilkaat Kwaan cultural camp.
"It’s a great boost for us and for our community," said
graduate Kimberly Strong. "We’re taking strength from our elders and ancestors
and having that strength for the next generation."
The certification program, funded by a $356,233 grant for Indian social
and economic development strategies, was initiated in September 2005.
Lani Hotch, a program organizer who worked on the grant, said the goals
for the program, called the "Chilkat Host and Native Artist Training Program,"
were twofold: to promote the tourism industry in Klukwan by providing host training and to
perpetuate cultural knowledge through arts, history, and language.
She said $170, 487 in local money had been raised for the program in
the two years since its inception, more than twice the amount needed to make the 20
percent match to leverage the grant money.