2024 IÑupiaq Language intensive

We are excited to announce the 2024 Iḷisaqativut Iñupiaq Language Intensive from September 30 to October 4 in Utqiaġvik.

Please review the information below, then click “Apply Here” at the bottom of the page to submit your application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until September 15, or when space is filled.

Questions or concerns? Contact the Intensive organizers at ilisaqativut@gmail.com.

Overview

The 2024 Iḷisaqativut Intensive is returning to the place where it all began: Utqiaġvik.

Intensives are special times for coming together as second language learners to focus on building up our language abilities, supporting relationships with each other and Elders, and growing our language community.

We welcome all learners of Iñupiaq. No prior knowledge of Iñupiaq is required to apply. The organizers are a grassroots group who are fellow second-language learners as much as teachers.

Iḷisaqativut intensives are designed as adult programs. You must be 18 to apply, though youth are welcome if a parent/guardian is also a participant. Note intensives do not offer programming specific to youth, and participants are responsible for their own children. Participants who have brought children in the past have found it deeply meaningful but also challenging to manage active learning and childcare together.

This is the 6th Iḷisaqativut Intensive and we will gather at the Iḷisaġvik College campus. The first Intensive was held in May 2017 in Utqiaġvik, which was followed by intensives held in June 2018 in Siqnasuaq (Nome), August 2019 in Qikiqtaġruk (Kotzebue), June 2022 at Camp Sivunniuġvik (near Noorvik), and August 2023 in Qikiqtaġruk.

Iḷisaqativut is a grassroots effort, and we rely on donor and volunteer support. We facilitate the curriculum, organization, and unique learning opportunity. You provide your knowledge, your passion, and your motivation to learn and contribute to the Iḷisaqativut community.

OUr Values

There is room for everyone to learn our language.

We believe that there is room for everyone to learn our language and Iñupiaq should be as accessible as learning any other language.

Intensives offer opportunities to learn Iñupiaq in a dedicated and safe space. We pool together our language resources to enhance accessibility for aspiring speakers. Many second-language speakers have spent years picking up a little here, a little there, working with fluent speakers when we can, taking college courses, or gathering resources as we find them. Intensives are an opportunity to focus just on Iñupiaq.

Supportive learning environment with grace and opportunities for growth and practice.

Iḷisaqativut means “those who learn together” and we take that philosophy seriously at our intensives.

Organizers facilitate an environment that emphasizes grace—both with ourselves and others. We find this is key during our intensives which allows for effective practicing, understanding, and teaching one another.

Our supportive environment helps to work through individual and group learning challenges—psychologically, emotionally, and intellectually. This is especially true for those with less prior exposure to Iñupiaq. This is why our value of “learning together” is so important. The work we do at an intensive is only possible when we hold each up.

We encourage each participant to talk about their language journey in a safe space to promote learning from each other and inspiring growth. Come prepared to offer your grace and support to others including sharing your knowledge of language, culture, and Iñupiat Nunaat (Iñupiaq land).

We encourage all dialects, which are additive to our learning and capacities.

We welcome and encourage all dialects. Learners of all dialects are welcome at an intensive. Participants are encouraged to study, speak, and share dialects. There is amazing beauty in each dialect that connects people and communities to the special land and place you are from and who you and your people are.

At an intensive, the learning environment honors dialects of fluent speakers teaching and guiding our work, as those are the speakers present to help us learn. This is often, but not always, the dialects of the local area where the intensive is held.

We also remember our many ancestors traveled across modern regions and countries for game and for trade, and that they knew and still know a variety of dialects and ways of speaking. We also know that the concepts of our language are shared across dialects and regional boundaries. Learning more about dialects and different ways to speak Iñupiaq does not diminish our ability to learn our own dialects—it is all additive and allows us to grow.

Responsibilities

Participants are personally responsible for:

• LEARNING: Your personal investment in our time together co-creates the language learning experiences we have through relationship-building experiences, sharing of resources, and progressing language journeys. Each participant is responsible for being present, on-time, and ready to learn.

• TRAVEL: You are responsible for roundtrip travel to and from Utqiaġvik. You may be able to find support in your community and/or family to help with your travel.

• HOUSING: We do not provide housing in Utqiaġvik. The organizers are hoping to find some discounted options; however, each participant is responsible for their housing.

• FOOD: We will have morning coffee/tea and snacks, otherwise meals will be on your own. We will have one potluck and encourage each participant to bring niqipiaq to share!

Expectations

Intensives are designed to be just that: intensive and fast-paced. Participants should be prepared to learn by participating, taking notes, and most importantly trying.

Iḷisaqativut intensives are designed to help you progress in the language. Participants can expect at times to feel challenged, frustrated, and tired. However, it is also extremely rewarding to work through challenges and grow.

Each participant is expected to speak as much Iñupiaq as they are able: the single best way to learn a language is to speak it. However, at times using English is helpful in creating a supportive environment for learning or necessary to communicate essential needs (after all, we are still learners).

We also expect learners to serve as teachers. Intermediate and advanced learners should expect to help teach as needed and support others; while those with less experience can expect to spend extra time on individual study to keep up with the pace. Each participant has a role to play in learning and teaching.

Participants can expect a variety of group dynamics and activities, and our days may change on the fly. There is time for self-study and personal time. Please be prepared to direct your own experience at times. One of the ingredients of success for an intensive is flexibility. While there is structure to our time together, specific elements may be adjusted to match the needs of the learners and speakers participating, as well as our host community.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

At the end of our time together, you will have greater confidence in your ability to continue your language journey, greater confidence speaking and sharing the language with others, and a deeper foundational knowledge of the Iñupiaq language.

You’ll be able to say things with confidence (even just a few things!) that you did not know when you arrived. You’ll be better prepared to continue learning at home, talking with fluent speakers, and communicating with your language-learning friends. You’ll know more about how to learn Iñupiaq and be better prepared to teach others who want to learn.

You’ll also leave with a powerful new network of fellow language learners and activists: your fellow members of Iḷisaqativut.

Our Sponsors

Quyanaqpak, Iliġanamiik, Taikuullapiaq, Quyaana!

To Iḷisaġvik College, our host and in-kind sponsor in Utqiaġvik.

The 2024 Iḷisaqativut Intensive is possible also with the financial support of the following. We are deeply grateful and humbled by your faith in our work.

Questions or concerns? Contact the intensive organizers at ilisaqativut@gmail.com.