This Living Dictionary serves as a companion to the Upper Tanana (Nee’aanèegn’) online course, which was created by the Doyon Foundation in partnership with 7000 Languages. The data in the dictionary comes from the units in the language course, and the content was sent to Living Tongues Institute for import to this Living Dictionary platform with permission from the team involved in the course creation. The link to the original course is provided within each dictionary entry.
About the Upper Tanana (Nee’aanèegn’) online course
This course provides learners with an opportunity to learn in a fun and comfortable online environment. There are 12 units with up to six lessons per unit. It includes an alphabet course, conversational videos, practice activities in speaking, listening, reading and writing, as well as information on Upper Tanana grammar and culture.
Tth’iitu’ Niign (Not Clear Water) is name for the Tanana River that begins at the confluence of the Nabesna and Chisana Rivers. Upper Tanana communities include K’ehtthiign (Fish Camp), Naambia (Northway), Teełąy (Tetlin), Tok and Beaver Creek (in the Yukon Territory).
Upper Tanana community members came together from near and far to make their contributions to this course. Focused work sessions were held in Northway, Tok and Fairbanks, and team members brought their best knowledge to share with learners.
The course developers include Elders and content creators Cora Demit, Glen Demit, Avis Sam, Roy Sam, Polly Hyslop, Ruth Johnny, David Johnny, Sr., Cheryl Silas and Lorraine Titus, as well as linguistic consultants Olga Lovick and John Ritter. Special recognition to the late Elders Sherry Demit Barnes and Rosa Brewer, whose contributions were invaluable to the development of the Upper Tanana course.
Additional thanks go to current and past Doyon Foundation staff Allan Diton Hayton, Myles Creed, Deloole’aanh Erickson, Doris Miller and Tiffany Simmons, as well as Transparent Language, the 7000 Languages team and Doyon, Limited. This course was funded by the U.S. Department of Education Alaska Native Education Program, grant # S356A170021.
Living Tongues team
Data import to this dictionary was facilitated at Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages by lead digital curator Anna Luisa Daigneault, web developer Diego Córdova Nieto and intern Devika Menon.
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