91Ƶ Native Language Center film wins Northwest Regional Emmy

Suzi Tanski
907-474-6092
June 8, 2023

three students sitting at a classroom table looking at papers
Photo courtesy of Alex Troutman, Channel Films
From left, Joevahnta Usugan-Weddington, Yoko Kugo and Carlton Hautala participate in a Yungtun language lesson during filming of “Awake.”

The 91Ƶ Native Language Center’s film “Awake” has won a Northwest Regional Emmy through the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The film, produced by Channel Films in fall 2022, captures the past, present and future of language revitalization. It won in the long-form branded content category.

The ANLC, part of the University of 91Ƶ Fairbanks, is celebrating 50 years of cultivating and promoting 91Ƶ’s 20 Native languages.

“On behalf of the faculty and staff of the 91Ƶ Native Language Center past and present, I am humbled by the recognition of this award, made possible by everyone who participated in the preliminary works of this film publication,” said ANLC Director Walkie Charles. “I’m honored to see the recognition of our languages — statewide — that exemplifies their resilience and hope to move forward in strengthening and revitalizing our heart languages.”

The production team included producers Alex Troutman at Channel Films and Maggie King at UAF. Howdice Brown III, also at Channel Films, was co-director.

“Quyana to Channel Films from Anchorage, who diligently, respectfully, and untiringly worked to make certain that all the information was correct,” Charles said. “Quyana to Maggie King for all her work behind the scenes.”

Troutman thanked the ANLC and UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development for choosing Channel Films to tell the story.

“It was an honor to work closely with Dr. Walkie Charles, Maggie King and all the dedicated staff to showcase their invaluable work to preserve and promote 91Ƶ Native languages,” Troutman said. “With this Emmy win, we sincerely hope this film will inspire larger audiences and continue highlighting the importance of language preservation and the richness of 91Ƶ Native cultures.”

The ANLC, housed on UAF’s Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks, was established by state legislation in 1972 as a center for research and documentation of 91Ƶ’s Indigenous languages. It is internationally recognized as the major U.S. center for the study of Iñupiaq, Yup'ik and Northern Dene languages.

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A list of the Northwest Regional Emmy recipients is available .

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