Gwich'in Athabascan storybook for primary classrooms: integrating Alaska native language and culture into language arts curriculum

Lin VanDyke
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:45:15 PDT

The problem addressed by this project is the lack of high-quality children’s literature that accurately embodies Alaska Native culture, specifically Gwich’in Athabascan culture, that can be used in primary classrooms. The significance of this topic is the need for materials that Alaska Native students can connect with on a personal level and that can create a greater understanding of Native culture for all individuals. The work was completed in July of 2025. The important implications of this project are the availability of an easy-to-use storybook and connected resources to read with students and have quality discussions about Athabascan language and culture.