Sophie Katelnikoff-Shepherd, Candace Branson, and Clyde Christiansen. Photo by Janet Kotwas.
Naken-Natmen means Where from-Where to. This was the title of a three-year Alutiiq language project designed to preserve records of Alutiiq speech and plan for future language education.
The Alutiiq language is seriously endangered, There are a rapidly decreasing number of speakers, only elder with advanced fluency, little spoken language at home or in gatherings, and parents who do not or can not teach Alutiiq to their children. Naken-Natmen united speakers, learners, and researchers to promote the preservation and sharing of Alutiiq, with a focus on preserving the knowledge of the last generation of first language Alutiiq speakers.
This project was supported by a grant number from the National Science Foundation (#1360839).