Curriculum Units
The books were written by Carol Lee Gho and developed by Joy Simon as part of the Project Alaska Indigenous People’s Academy Grant. The information for the books came from several Alaska Native Elders who taught certified Alaska Native Teachers the skills, stories, and cultural activities at two-week camps along several different rivers in interior Alaska. The resource books were made with the intent they be used along side the Culturally Based Curriculum Units that were developed by teachers and published by AINE. The K-12 resource books were designed for students and teachers as a research tool to gain background knowledge about the Alaska Native People. Each book is 30-80 pages with photos and information on the cultural activities.
Ordering Information
Culturally Based Curriculum Units: (Hard Copies Only)
Complete Set of Curriculum Units (13 Hard Copy Units)
Complete Set of Curriculum Units (CD's Copies Only)
(missing #7, 8,and 14)
K-12 Student & Teacher Resource Books: (Hard Copies Only)
Other Resources Available
The Alaska Indigenous Peoples' Academy, DVDs
AINE Learning Styles Video
Book: Evelyn Alexander: A Life History in her Own Words
AINE
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Curriculum Units
Appreciating Caribou: Vadzaih
Theme: Subsistence
This unit will give the students a better understanding of the Gwich'in Athabascan way of life and the importance of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. For thousands of years and through many generations, the caribou has offered themselves to given the Gwich'in people's food and materials.
Level 2: 3rd-5th Grade
Written by Mary Fields, Fort Yukon
Level 3: 6th-8th Grade
Written by Karen Dullen, Fairbanks
Cultural Knowledge:
Arctic Village Elder Academy, June 2002
Birch Bark Uses
Theme: Family
This unit attempts to educate Westerners, as well as indigenous youth, on traditions and beliefs of the Athabascan people of Interior AlaskaThis unit incorporates indigenous Athabascan values into standard Western curriculum in a culturally appropriate manner. It emphasizes basic respect for the importance of indigenous Athabascan knowledge.
Level 2: 3rd-5th Grade
Written by Edith Nicholas, Nulato
Cultural Knowledge:
Old Minto Elders Academy, August 1996
Interior Plant Project
Theme: Health and Wellness
We are surrounded by plants and they are an important part of the Athabascan lifestyle. Plants provide us with many things: food, shelter, tools, games, medicine, furniture, and fuel. This unit will focus on the traditional and local uses of plants.
Level 2: 3rd-5th Grades
Written by Gertie Esmailka, Huslia
Cultural Knowledge:
Arctic Village Elder Academy, June 2002
Living in the Chandalar Country
Theme: Living in Place
This unit will introduce a brief history of the Athabascan people and their way of life and a description of the Interior region of Alaska where they live. The students will learn that the Athabascan Natives are divided into eleven language groups and the different terrains ranging from the tundra to the rainforest that affects their way of life and how they live in the natural environment. It is important for all students to experience cultural diversity and to learn about the distinct Alaska Native groups in Alaska.
Level 2: 3rd-5th Grades
Written by Kathleen Meckel,
Nulato/Fairbanks
Cultural Knowledge:
Arctic Village Elder Academy, June 2002
Vadzaih
Theme: Subsistence
This unit will focus on the "Vadzaih" (Caribou) and how the Gwich'in Athabascan have survived off of the caribou and the land for thousands of years. Students will learn cultural skills, values and will increase their appreciation of the relationship of the Gwich'in people to the caribou.
Level 2: 3rd-5th Grades
Written by Twila Strom, Fort Yukon
Cultural Knowledge:
Arctic Village Elder Academy, June 2002
Lookk'e in the Season
Theme: Subsistence
This unit will introduce students to the different species of fish in local waters and the traditional ways of gathering fish in their local areas. Students will be able to gain a better understanding of the Koyukon subsistence lifestyles and values.
Level 3: 3rd-6th Grades
Written by Thelma Saunders, Kaltag
Cultural Knowledge:
Halfway Camp at Nulato, 2000
Athabascan Potlatch
Theme: Cultural Expression
This unit attempts to educate the Westerners, as well as the youth, on the traditions and beliefs of the Athabascan people of Interior Alaska. This unit will help increase indigenous knowledge and instill a sense of cultural pride and respect for all people.
Level 2: 3rd-5th Grades
Level 3: 6th-8th Grades
Written by Sharon Attla, Tanana / Fairbanks
Cultural knowledge came from many individuals who offered their time and experience to create this unit.
Traditional Snowshoes
Language Arts / Social Studies
Students will be learning about the traditional Alaska Native snowshoe as well as the traditional uses of snowshoes. The focus of this unit is on language arts and social studies, but science, math, geography, arts, technology and cultural history is integrated into all the lessons.
Level 3: 6th-8th Grades
Written by Joy Simon, Allakaket and
Velma Schafer, Allakaket
Cultural Knowledge:
Huslia Academy, July 1999
Athabascan Games
Themes: Health and Wellness
The invention of the Native games shows the resourcefulness and the creativity of the Native people. Playing Native games today is very important for many reasons. The students will learn and retain cultural values, which include, sharing, problem-solving, cooperation, developing patience, dexterity, and discipline. This unit will help students gain knowledge, identify values and better understanding of how values affect their lives.
Level 3: 6th-8th Grades
Written by Cora Maguire,
Allakaket / Fairbanks
Cultural Knowledge:
Arctic Village Elders Academy, June 2002
Athabascan Traditional Values
Theme: Family
During the lifetime of an Athabascan elder, traditional values are natural characteristics that are developed at an ealy age. These values are passed down from generation to generation, many of our young people are losing these important values, not knowing who they are and not knowing much about their native culture.
Level 3/4: 6th-12th Grade
Written by Rebecca Gallen, Northway
Cultural Knowledge:
From David Salmon's camp on the Black River, Elder's Academy, July 1998
Introduction to the Athabascan Culture
Theme: Living in Place
This unit is designed to be a beginning point for developing a deeper understanding of the cultural underpinning of the Athabascan people.
Level 3: 7th-12th Grade
Written by Carol Lee Gho, Lake Minchumina
Cultural knowledge came from many elders that shared their wisdom in so many ways.
Caribou Hair Tufting
Athabascan Culture / Language Arts / Science
Caribou is one of the major resources of the Interior Native peoples of Alaska. They rely on the caribou for subsistence and livelihood. The focus of this unit is on the Athabascan culture, language arts, and science but math, social studies, geography, arts, technology, and cultural history is integrated into all the lessons.
Written by Virginia "Nakukluk" Ned
Freda Beasley
Gertie Esmailka
Instructor: Selina Alexander, Fairbanks
Fish Skin Boots and Geometry
Currently Out of Print
Written by
We are THE GWICH'IN
Theme: Subsistence
Subsistence is very important aspect of the livelihood of the Gwich'in Athabascans and other Native people of Alaska. Through studying this unit, you will gain better understanding and respect for what it is to be Gwich'in.
Level 4: 9th-12 Grade
Written by Debra Van Dyke, Fort Yukon
Cultural Knowledge:
Arctic Village Elders Academy, June 2002
"Kkaakene" Caribou Legging Boots
K-12 Athabascan Culture / Language Arts / Science
The unit will focus on the use of "caribou leggings" to make a pair of moccasins or "Kkaakene" (Koyukon Athabascan word for skin boots), Athabascan culture, language arts, science, but math, social studies, geography, arts, technology, and cultural history is integrated into all the lessons.
Written by Virginia "Nakukluk" Ned
Freda Beasley
Gertie Esmailka
Cultural Knowledge:
Gaalee'ya Camp Academy, July 2001
Cultural Assistance: Paulina Stickman
Paulina Peter