University of Alaska Southeast Professor to Receive Governor’s Arts and Humanities Award

Dr. X̱'unei Lance Twitchell, Professor of Alaska Native Languages in the Department of Humanities at University of Alaska Southeast, is among nine recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: October 4, 2024

Dr. X̱'unei Lance Twitchell, Professor of Alaska Native Languages in the Department of Humanities at University of Alaska Southeast, is among nine recipients of the 2024 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities. The Awards will be presented on October 29, 2024, at an event held at the Anchorage Museum in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Governor's Arts and Humanities Awards is an annual partnership between the Alaska Humanities Forum, the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation, and the Office of the Governor to recognize and honor noteworthy contributions to the arts and humanities in Alaska. Each year, these partners select awardees in several distinct categories, based on nominations submitted by the public.

The Alaska Native Arts Award recognizes individuals and organizations that successfully advance Alaska Native language or culture through their work and significantly improve the preservation, perpetuation, and active practice of Alaska Native arts.

Professor X̱'unei Lance Twitchell is a dedicated and passionate advocate for the preservation and revitalization of Alaska Native languages, particularly the Lingít language. Serving as chair of the Council for Alaska Native Languages, Twitchell emphasizes the importance of including traditional ways, values, and worldviews in language learning, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures. Twitchell’s work recording, transcribing, and presenting the words of tribal Elders ensures their wisdom is preserved for future generations.

Earlier this year, X̱'unei Lance Twitchell published a book of poetry entitled G̱agaan X̱ʼusyee / Below the Foot of the Sun (University of Alaska Press, 2024). The collection of 46 poems features some in English, some in Lingít, and some that combine the two languages. In addition to his work as a language teacher, preservationist, and poet Twitchell is also an accomplished visual artist.