Alaska Natives cheer as Gov. Bill Walker (I) holds up a copy of the Native language emergency order in Juneau, Alaska, on September 23, 2018. Photo: Alaska Governor Bill Walker

Education | National

Alaska governor declares 'emergency' for Native languages

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (I) signed an administrative order this week, declaring a state of "emergency" for Native languages in the state.

Administrative Order 300 requires state agencies to support Native language revitalization efforts. That includes incorporating Native languages in public schools and universities, including Native languages in public signs and consulting with tribes and Native organizations.

“This order focuses on concrete ways Alaska can show leadership to support its first people and their languages — one of our richest and most at-risk resources.” Walker, who is running for re-election, said in a press release. “It’s our responsibility to acknowledge government’s historical role in the suppression of indigenous languages, and our honor to move into a new era by supporting their revitalization.”

It was our honor to join @firstalaskans last night to sign AO 300, recognizing the linguistic emergency faced by Alaska's native languages and pledging state support for their revitalization. Looking fwd to language nests & bilingual signage. It's time.

#languagewarriors #akleg pic.twitter.com/tkjiZwV3RS
— Governor Bill Walker (@AkGovBillWalker) September 24, 2018

The order was signed in Juneau, the state capital, on Sunday. It took place during the Warming of the Hands ceremony at the First Alaskans Institute’s Social Justice Summit, which concluded on Tuesday.