Hometown, Alaska Alaska Public Media

Indigenous Peoples and Languages of Alaska. (Alaska Native Language Center)Over the past few years, acknowledging the Indigenous roots of the places we call home has become more common. This is especially true in Alaska, a state rich with Indigenous history and the state with the highest percentage of Native people in its population.Alaska, however, also has a rapidly growing non-Native population that may not completely and accurately understand that this state has been and always will be a Native place. Why is it important for new Alaskans to know their home state’s Indigenous roots? What are some respectful and productive ways to do this?Join us as we explore these questions and more on the upcoming episode of Hometown, Alaska.Guests and their backgrounds:Melissa ShaginoffMelissa Shaginoff is part of the Udzisyu (caribou) and Cui Ui Ticutta (fish-eater) clans from Nay’dini’aa Na Kayax (Chickaloon Village, Alaska). She is an Ahtna and Paiute person, an artist, a social activist and currently the curator of