The Alaska portion of the AEA site visits included a full day of knowledge exchange meetings with faculty from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Interior Alaska Campus and other key UAF faculty. These included presentations on content and delivery methodology from programs such as Tribal Governance, Rural Human Services, eCampus, Alaska Native Studies & Rural Development, and Cold Climate Housing Research Center. Delegates learned about Indigenizing curriculum, intensive program delivery, online course delivery methods and living sustainability in Arctic conditions.

The delegates then split into groups by field expertise. The hospitality & tourism group delegates took the Riverboat Discovery Tour; a local company that provides an excursion on a paddle wheel boat with an onshore visit to replicas of Indigenous

villages with explanatory talks given by Alaska Natives. The group then visited Coyote Trail Farm & Fiber Mill to learn about the mill’s processing of different types of animal fleece. At the end of the day the delegates visited the regional Native Elders’ organization, Denakkanaaga, Inc. and the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, where they learned about a local Indigenous Elder’s upbringing and the culture and traditions that follow the seasonal changes in the Interior of Alaska.

 By small plane, the hospitality and tourism group visited the Kantishna Roadhouse, owned by the Alaska Native Regional corporation, Doyon, Limited, which sits 90 miles inside Denali National Park & Preserve. The group experienced the rare view of Denali, the highest mountain in North America, the surrounding landscape, lodge operations and activities provided by the roadhouse such as hiking, berry picking and gold panning. The return trip allowed delegates to experience hospitality at the 49th State Brewery, one of nearly 50 breweries in the state.

At the end of the site visit, delegates visited the Chena Hot Springs for the sustainable energy tour and participated in the resort’s tourist activities with the option to soak in the indoor and outdoor hot pools.

During a three-day site visit to Kodiak Island the delegates from Imarsionermik Ilinniarfik visited UAF Alaska Sea Grant, a salmon hatchery and other marine sites. This trip was followed by a day-long site visit to Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) Maritime Center in Seward on Alaska’s southern coast. On the site visit to AVTEC the delegates were very interested in learning more on online teaching technology and methods.

Alaska Site Visit Knowledge Exchange Activities