ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 2007-2008

The Alaska Native Heritage Center High School Program is a place where Anchorage area Alaska Native and American Indian youth celebrate their culture in guided after-school classes two hours a day, four days a week. The ANHC High School Program uses culturally relevant curriculum to stimulate intergenerational learning in the Alaska Native community.
Our courses go beyond cultural enrichment; Anchorage School District elective credits are granted to every student who attends at least 120 hours per semester. The credit can be accumulated throughout the years as the students attend our five classes.
Program classes are: Alaska Native Dance, Communication Through Technology, Alaska Native Arts Program, Native Games and Encourage Leadership. Each class is taught by an Alaska Native educator and is structured to respect both traditional and contemporary models of learning. Our teaching staff also coordinates guest instructors and Master Artists to come into the classroom to share their knowledge, skills and abilities.
The program is free and includes (Anchorage) school shuttle pick-up and student door-to-door home drop-off. Instruction begins October 9, 2007. The High School Program runs during the school year Tuesdays through Fridays. Students go to the Heritage Center after the regular school day is over. ANHC vans pick up students at the flagpoles of each ASD High School between 2 p.m to 2:45 p.m. Classes run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

ANHC High School Program Benefits:

• Safe after-school environment
• Dropout prevention
• Elective credit towards graduation
• Cultural awareness
• Free snack
• Meet peers from other schools
• Interact with positive role models
• Employment opportunities
• Having Fun!!

Alaska Native Dance Classes

Students in the dance class will have the opportunity to learn traditional and contemporary methods of drum dancing from all the major culture groups of Alaska. Students may even have the opportunity to perform with the well-respected and highly professional Alaska Native Heritage Center Dancers. This year, the class will have two branches that will be under the direction of Marcella Foster (Tsimshian) and Mattox Metcalf (St. Lawrence Island Yupik).

Alaska Native Art Classes

In its sixth year, the art class has become a favorite for students in the High School Program. Students in this class will focus on practicing traditional Native art, while exploring contemporary methods. Students will become inspired by Alaska Native artists that will be visiting the art class and sharing art forms from their Native cultures. Students will also take home their completed projects. The Alaska Native Heritage Center’s High School Art Class is under the direction of Beckie Etukeok (Inupiaq/Siberian Yupik/Tlingit).

Encourage Leadership Classes

Students in leadership class will develop an appreciation for various forms of leadership styles while learning to appreciate their own leadership potential. Students will meet Alaska leaders as they come to the Center to address the students about their particular situation and ways for students to develop their own potential. Our ultimate goal is to plan and deliver workshops for local youth conferences and work toward hosting a national youth conference. This class is under the direction of Bob Harty.

Communication Through Technology Classes

Students in the Technology Class will learn the theories and applications of print media and state-of-the-art video production. Guest instructors will teach throughout the year and field trips will be taken. Students will become familiar with intermediate and advanced computer operations, digital video production and various software applications. Students are required to understand basic computer operations as well as basic reading and writing. Students must commit for a semester due to course emphasis on process and development. The Alaska Native Heritage Center’s High School Technology Class is under the direction of Cory Wolfe (Tlingit).

Alaska Native Games

Students in the Native Games Class will learn traditional Native Games that have been done for thousands of years, and are continued today. These games test skills in balance, strength, endurance, stamina, endurance to pain, and concentration. Students will participate, and compete in the Anchorage Native Youth Olympic Preliminaries, and those who make it to the state level will compete and represent Anchorage, or their respected area or region. In the class we teach physical fitness and stretching to prevent injury. Respect and sportsmanship are experiences students will receive during their time in class. Students may have the opportunity to demonstrate with the Alaska Native Heritage Center Native Games performers during the summer, and also compete at the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. The Alaska Native Heritage Center’s High School Native Games Class is under the direction of Manuel Tumulak (Tlingit).

Space is limited, so submit your enrollment form today!

» download enrollment form (PDF)

Fax completed enrollment form to 907 330-8030

Art Classes

Technology Classes

Native Games