Monday, May 7, 2012

Thoughts from a student about SHI’s internship program



SHI, as part of a recent IMLS Enhancement Grant aimed at documenting SHI's Tlingit language recordings and in partnership with UAS, offers an internship program aimed at increasing the number of Native archivists and museum curators. Recent language-emphasis intern Nae Tumulak passed along these thoughts about her experience:

“I didn't originally know that SHI offered an internship like this during the semester. I went to Lingít class one day, and to my surprise I was told that my name had been submitted for the opportunity. I was honored! After meeting with Zach, hearing that I would be listening to Lingít nearly all day, I felt like I had found my dream job. It has been exciting to learn exactly where I am in my language learning. When I understood what was being said, I felt so accomplished and proud. When I didn't quite get it, it pushed me to try to figure it out! It was a win-win all around for me. What I especially loved about my time at SHI, was that I was able to listen to my great-grandma and namesake, Annie George, for the first time. I got to hear the "old-timers" from Yakutat, where my mom's family comes from. That is something that I will never let go.”

If you are interested in participating, contact Zachary Jones at by clicking here.



Wednesday, May 2, 2012

SHI Visiting Scholar to Research Collaboration Between Native Artists, Organizations

SHI welcomes our 2012 Visiting Scholar, Christiane Rehn of Germany.  Christiane is a Ph.D. student in American Studies at the University of Passau  and is studying how Native artists and organizations such as SHI work together. Christiane is happy to return to Alaska after first visiting in 2007, when she researched her diploma thesis on Alaska Native art. Her current research will be beneficial to our community in assessing how we can best support artists, and we are pleased to host her.  Christiane will be conducting interviews and surveys with SHI and Native artists in the region.  If you’re a practicing Native artist who would like to share your experiences, please let us know!  Your voice is important in this study. Artists may also contact her directly at christianerehn@web.de.