The Uqapiaqta Program is the home of Aqqaluk Trust’s Iñupiaq language revitalization work. Our current priority is to implement the Uqapiaqta Iñupiaq Language Year, a full-time, yearlong program for adults to acquire conversational Iñupiaq.  

The Uqapiaqta Program is funded by general fund contributions from NANA, a three-year grant from the Administration for Native Americans for the development of adult immersion curriculum, and a one-year Bureau of Indian Affairs grant to support the Uqapiaqta Development Year.  

The Iñupiaq Language Specialists are essential to our language revitalization work at Aqqaluk Trust and assist with curriculum development. Fluent Iñupiaq speakers, they demonstrate skills in the language and speak to other elders without needing to translate to English. 

As staff capacity allows, the Uqapiaqta Program also supports other organizations and language efforts in the NANA region. Examples include providing training at teacher in-services, language workshops for youth, and supporting documentation of Iñupiaq placenames. 

Uqapiaqta Iñupiaq Language Development Year 

We are excited to announce the launch of the Uqapiaqta Development Year in January 2027. The application is now LIVE!  

We are searching for three highly motivated Iñupiaq learners to pilot our year-long adult immersion program from January-December 2027.  The application deadline is August 31. Applications will be reviewed by an admissions committee composed of Aqqaluk Trust staff and NANA region elders. Selected applicants will be notified by September 30.  

The year will start with a 2-month intensive conversational Iñupiaq course modeled on that used by the Salish School of Spokane, which is currently under development by the Northwest Arctic Borough School District and Aqqaluk Trust. Participants will then pilot and provide feedback on additional lessons delivered throughout the remainder of the year and have opportunities (if desired) to work with speakers and archival resources to develop curriculum themselves.  

Each participant will receive a $5,000 monthly stipend ($60,000 for the year) to offset living expenses and allow them to focus exclusively on language learning. The program will focus on the Coastal and Kobuk Iñupiaq dialects spoken in the NANA region, and will include travel to NANA region communities. 

Requirements of the Uqapiaqta Development Year: 

• 18+ years of age 
• Physically present in Kotzebue from early January 2027 – mid December 2027, except for scheduled breaks (spring, summer, fall) 
• No other significant commitments such as another job or major contract work 
• Strong internal motivation to learn Iñupiaq 

Aqqaluk Trust staff offered two online informational sessions about the Development Year in early June 2026. A recording is available here: https://youtu.be/gUL2ILrBLI8. If you have any questions after reviewing the application and recording please reach out to us at uqapiaqta@aqqaluktrust.com. 

The Development Year is possible thanks to Senator Lisa Muwkowski’s sponsorship of a 1-year Congressional Directed Spending award through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).