November 1, 2024
This Alaska Native/Native American Heritage Month, the É«ÀÇÉçÇø District (É«ÀÇÉçÇø) honors the profound impact of Indigenous culture, voices, and experiences that make our district, city, state, and country stronger.
Through collaboration with the Native Village of Eklutna, É«ÀÇÉçÇø has officially relaunched its staff recognition program as the Chin'an employee recognition program and updated its Land Acknowledgment.
These updates are intended to honor and recognize Indigenous people and Indigenous ways of knowing. It is a privilege to learn from and collaborate with the Eklutna Dena’ina.
“During Alaska Native and American Indian Heritage Month, we honor the resilience, cultural heritage, and achievements of our Indigenous students,” said É«ÀÇÉçÇø Indigenous Education Supervisor Jamie Galvan. “These updates support and celebrate their contributions to our communities.”
Chin'an - “Thank You” to É«ÀÇÉçÇø employees and volunteers
As a gesture of gratitude, the staff recognition program is titled Chin’an in the Dena’ina language as a way to say “thank you” to an É«ÀÇÉçÇø employee or volunteer.
Any community member may submit a Chin'an form online to recognize an É«ÀÇÉçÇø employee or volunteer for going above and beyond. Once the form is submitted, a copy of the message is immediately shared with the employee/volunteer and their supervisor. A small batch of Chin'an submissions appear on the É«ÀÇÉçÇø website for up to several weeks before being replaced.
É«ÀÇÉçÇø encourages the community to take time to recognize valued employees and volunteers!
Honoring Dena'ina Land
É«ÀÇÉçÇø is grateful for the collaboration of the É«ÀÇÉçÇø Indigenous Education Department with the Native Village of Eklutna in writing the following É«ÀÇÉçÇø Land Acknowledgment:
We acknowledge that we gather here today on the traditional lands of the Dena'ina People of Upper Cook Inlet. For thousands of years, the Dena'ina People have been and continue to be the stewards of this land. É«ÀÇÉçÇø is committed to diversity and inclusion, and it is with honor and respect that we recognize all Indigenous people who live and learn in our community.
This “living Land Acknowledgment” was on April 3, 2023.
New this school year, Land Acknowledgment signage is available for all schools to display on É«ÀÇÉçÇø campuses.
Did you know?
For nearly 50 years, Eklutna Inc. has generously leased the land where five É«ÀÇÉçÇø schools reside: Eagle River and Birchwood Elementary Schools, Mirror Lake and Gruening Middle Schools, and Chugiak High School.
The District is committed to recognizing and celebrating the culture and language of the Dena'ina people. Chin'an, thank you to the Eklutna Tribe for your continued partnership with the É«ÀÇÉçÇø District.
