The Katirvik Cultural Center in Nome recently hosted Iḷisaqativut, a weeklong gathering bringing together more than 40 people from across Alaska to learn and celebrate the Inupiaq language. This immersive event, whose name means “those who learn together,” emphasized not just language, but culture, tradition, and connection across generations and regions.
Participants practiced speaking Inupiaq through games, songs, and daily activities, including children’s favorites like “Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes”. A playful “pebble jar” reminded learners to speak only in Inupiaq, creating an environment of focus, creativity, and shared purpose.
The program’s mentor-apprentice model pairs fluent speakers with motivated learners, supporting a grassroots effort to sustain Inupiaq language and culture. For participants, Iḷisaqativut was more than a language workshop — it was a celebration of heritage, community, and the living traditions of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples.
Photo by Wali Rana/ KNOM.
