Children get copies of the Lingít-language book “Kuhaantí” signed during a launch party Oct. 27 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. The book is intended to be the first of nine books and animated videos produced during the next two years sharing tribal stories in their Native language. (Photo courtesy of Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska)

Neighbors briefs

Tlingit and Haida gets nearly $800,000 language program grant

The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska is among 20 tribes and tribal organizations receiving a total of $5.723 million in federal Living Languages Grant Program funding, with individual awards ranging in value from $200,000 to $300,000 per year for three years, according to the Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development.

Tlingit and Haida will receive $265,920 per year, according to the agency. Also receiving funds in Alaska is the Tribal Government of St. Paul Island, with $277,500 per year.

The Living Languages Grant Program provides an opportunity for Tribes to receive funding to document and revitalize languages that are at risk of disappearing because of a declining native-speaker population, a press release by the agency notes. For more than 150 years, Native languages in the U.S. have been subjected to suppression and elimination from a variety of factors such as federal boarding and other types of schools that forced American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children to forgo speaking the language of their peoples.

“Living Languages Grant Program funding supports Tribal communities in restoring and revitalizing their traditional languages, thereby preserving the essence of their cultural identities and sovereignty,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “Investing in Native language revitalization is just one part of our all-of-government approach to addressing the harms caused by federal policies of the past, such as Federal Indian Boarding School which actively worked to suppress Native languages and cultures.”

The Living Languages Grant Program’s focus for fiscal year 2024 is on Native language immersion projects that support a cohesive Tribal community-approach through collaborative instruction based on current language immersion models. This year’s funding is intended for projects that provide an “all-of-community” language program with measurable outcomes which will be achieved within three years.

Holiday Schedule for CBJ Offices & Facilities

Most City and Borough of Juneau offices and facilities — including City Hall offices, Dimond Park Aquatic Center, Zach Gordon Youth Center, the Juneau Douglas City Museum, and all Juneau Public Library branches — will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1, in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

Here’s a rundown of other services and facilities that have different operating schedules during the holidays:

Capital Transit & CAPITAL AKcess

Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess will operate on regular Sunday hours on Sunday, Dec. 24, and Sunday, Dec. 31, and will not be in service on Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1. For route maps and timetables, visit juneaucapitaltransit.org.

Dimond Park Field House

The Dimond Park Field House track will be closed Sunday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1. The track will be open on Sunday, Dec. 31, for public track time from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. As a reminder, Turf for Tots will not be held from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1 while DPFH hosts the annual Holiday Cup soccer tournament. See the calendar for full hours.

Jensen-Olson Arboretum

Jensen-Olson Arboretum is closed to the public through Dec. 28 and will reopen on Friday, Dec. 29, for winter hours, Friday – Sunday (including Sunday, Dec. 31) from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Eaglecrest Ski Area

Eaglecrest will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1, but otherwise open daily throughout the holidays. Operations may be affected by weather conditions; for the latest information, see the Mountain Report at skieaglecrest.com.

Shéiyi X̱aat Hít Youth Shelter

Shéiyi X̱aat Hít Youth Shelter is open throughout the holidays.

Treadwell Arena

Treadwell Arena will be closed Sunday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Jan. 1. Otherwise, Treadwell is offering a variety of public sessions over the holidays. Walk in or reserve your spot (see the “Treadwell Arena” tab) for a discount. See the online calendar for a full schedule.

Juneau Pools To Offer Lifeguard Class Jan. 2-5

Parks and Recreation Juneau Pools will offer a lifeguarding class on Jan. 2 – 5 at Dimond Park Aquatic Center. Participants who successfully complete the class will earn an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, valid for two years. Registration is now open and closes on Thursday, Dec. 28. Register online via the Parks and Rec registration catalog (under the Juneau Pools tab).

The class will run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Class fees are $250 for general participants, but free for those who submit an application for employment as a Juneau Pools lifeguard at the end of the course. The class is open to a maximum of 10 people.

Prerequisites: Complete a pre-course session in the pool prior to the first day of class. The pre-course includes a 300-yard swim, brick retrieval from 10 feet, and treading water for 2 minutes. Must be 15 years old by the last day of class.

For more information, contact Seth Cayce at (907) 586-0839 or seth.cayce@juneau.gov.

More in Neighbors

One of countless classic combinations possible with Thanksgiving leftovers. (Stu Spivack / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Gimme A Smile: Please, take home some leftovers

The holiday season is upon us! Over the next few months, we… Continue reading

Jacqueline F. Tupou is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: A life hack for holiday happiness

Do you wish you were more happy? Do you see others experiencing… Continue reading

Pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust being served. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust

For those of you who struggle with trying to figure out how… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)
Living and Growing: The healing power of art

I found this awesome quote about art from Googling: “Art has the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Living and Growing: A list of do’s to reclaim Shabbat

To be silent the whole day, see no newspaper, hear no radio,… Continue reading

“Princess Sophia” stranded on Vanderbilt Reef, Oct. 24, 1918. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P87-1700)
Living and Growing: The storms of the Fall

Psalm 19 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the… Continue reading

(Image by the New Jersey Division of Elections)
Gimme A Smile: Halloween/Election Day merger

We’ve got a couple of important holidays coming up: Halloween and Election… Continue reading

Sheet pan tomato soup garnished and served. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Sheet pan tomato soup

Whenever I get my hair done at Salon Cedar, owner Brendan Sullivan… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: The eye of the needle

One day, a rich young man approached Jesus, asking him what he… Continue reading

Jennifer Moses is a student rabbi at Congregation Sukkat Shalom. (Photo provided by Jennifer Moses)
Living and Growing: Joy after sorrow during celebration of Sukkot

As you read this column Jews around the world are preparing to… Continue reading