Alaska Native Language Center to Close After 50 Years

Planned closure threatens decades of work preserving one of the world's most diverse linguistic landscapes.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:35pm

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The Alaska Native Language Center, a state-funded organization dedicated to advancing Native languages in Alaska, will be closing its doors this summer after more than 50 years of service. The center has played a crucial role in preserving Alaska's linguistic diversity, producing the iconic Native Peoples and Languages of Alaska Map, publishing hundreds of Native language materials, and training language teachers.

Why it matters

The closure of the Alaska Native Language Center threatens to undermine decades of progress in Native language revitalization efforts across the state. As a state-funded organization, the center has been uniquely positioned to support the preservation of Alaska's extraordinary linguistic diversity, which includes two of the world's major language families. Its closure could signal a new era of neglect for these vital Indigenous languages.

The details

The Alaska Native Language Center was established in 1972 by the Alaska Legislature to study Native languages, develop literacy materials, disseminate Native language literature, and train language teachers. Over the past 50 years, the center has produced the iconic Native Peoples and Languages of Alaska Map, published hundreds of Native language resources, and provided language courses to thousands of students. However, the University of Alaska Fairbanks has now chosen to end this state-mandated Native language support program.

  • The Alaska Native Language Center was established in 1972.
  • The center will be closing its doors this summer, after more than 50 years of service.

The players

Alaska Native Language Center

A state-funded organization dedicated to advancing Native languages in Alaska, established in 1972 by the Alaska Legislature.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

The university that has chosen to end the state-mandated Native language support program provided by the Alaska Native Language Center.

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What they’re saying

“There will always be those who fear diversity, who view language as a threat. Let us hope this is not their moment.”

— Gary Holton, Former director of the Alaska Native Language Archive

The takeaway

The closure of the Alaska Native Language Center represents a significant setback in the ongoing efforts to preserve and revitalize Alaska's extraordinary linguistic diversity. This decision by the University of Alaska Fairbanks threatens to undermine decades of progress in supporting Indigenous languages and could signal a new era of neglect for these vital cultural resources.