Language Programs

Doyon Foundation is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant of $2.65 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Alaska Native Education (ANE) Program. The three-year grant will support the creation of an online Denaakk’e educational language learning game featuring Molly of Denali, which is focused on improving language development outcomes for Alaska Native K-5 students. 

The project will develop and implement culturally relevant strategies to increase student engagement and motivation toward language learning, while also supporting Alaska Native language preservation. Additionally, the project will collect critical data to support the evaluation and continuous improvement of ANE-funded programs. 

The Denaakk’e Language Gamification Project addresses three primary goals: 

• Increase student engagement and motivation in learning the Denaakk’e (Koyukon Athabascan) language through interactive and gamified educational tools. 
• Expand and strengthen the skills of Indigenous Language Instructors, especially in using technology to create innovative and effective learning experiences. 
• Enhance professional development opportunities for Instructors, empowering them to integrate digital and online resources into their classrooms. 

This project was created in partnership with YKSD and GBH Media Services, the award-winning public media producer behind Molly of Denali. 

Look out for posts about game development progress, and eventually for the game to be posted right here on the website. 

Welcome to the Doyon Foundation’s Our Languages Grant program.

We have redesigned our grant model to introduce smaller, more targeted awards and improved accountability. Our goal is to make funding more accessible, transparent, and impactful as we work together to learn, share, and document the ancestral languages of the Doyon region.

Before you apply, here are the essential details of our redesigned grant structure:  

• Award Range: $500 to $5,000 (funding is based on actual project needs rather than a fixed flat rate).  
• Project Timeframe: All projects must be completed within 6 months.  
• Two Annual Cycles: 
  • Cycle 1 (July-December): Application will open July 31 – Aug 17, 2026.
  • Cycle 2 (January – June): Application opens in November.  
• Eligible Costs: Funds must go toward language-specific expenses (e.g., paying a language teacher, purchasing learning supplies, or buying recording equipment). General operating costs are not eligible.  

Supported Languages 

This program supports the revitalization of the 11 ancestral languages of the Doyon region:  

• Benhti Kokhut’ana Kenaga’ (Lower Tanana)  
• Deg Xinag  
• Denaakk’e (Koyukon)  
• Dihthaad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’ (Tanacross)  
• Dinak’i (Upper Kuskokwim)  
• Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa (Gwich’in)  
• Hän  
• Holikachuk  
• Inupiaq  
• Nee’aanèegn’ (Upper Tanana)
• Middle Tanana 

The grants fall within three main goals and four funding streams:  

• Learning, Sharing, and Documenting.  
• Capacity Building, Community Projects, Immersive Learning, Language Documentation 

Doyon Foundation is excited to announce that we held the first ever, Dena spelling bee featuring Denaakk’e & Benhti Kokht’ana Kenaga’ languages. 

The event took place April 30, 2026 from 5-8 p.m. at Effie Kokrine Charter school, 601 Loftus Road in Fairbanks.

The inaugural Dena Spelling Bee represents a historic milestone as the first competition of its kind. While this initiative was inspired by the established Yup’ik spelling bee, it has been uniquely tailored to celebrate our Dena languages.

This project was made possible through the vital support of the Doyon Foundation’s partners and the Effie Kokrine Charter School community. We extend our sincere gratitude to the school for hosting the event and to the students who contributed significantly by curating word lists, selecting prizes, and helping shape the vision for this competition.

Funding and Support: This Dena Spelling Bee journal was made possible through the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, Alaska Native Education Program. The project is funded under award number S356A220042, as part of the Doyon Languages Education: DLO In The Classroom initiative. We are grateful for this partnership, which allows us to continue our work in language revitalization and educational innovation.

For more information on the project, please contact Tatiana Andrew, DLE Program Manager, at [email protected] or 907-459-2048.

The Doyon Foundation, in collaboration with KUAC, is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative, Alaska Native Word of the Week, aimed at celebrating and preserving Alaska Native languages.

We are seeking Alaska Native language speakers from the Doyon region to record short segments for this upcoming KUAC feature. Participants will have the opportunity to share a word or phrase from their native language and help keep Alaska’s rich linguistic heritage alive for current and future generations.

How to Participate:

• Interested speakers should record themselves using the provided script, ensuring clarity and correct pronunciation.
• Completed recordings and signed releases should be submitted via the Alaska Native Word of the Week Submission Form, linked at the bottom of this page.
• If you are in Fairbanks or planning a trip to Fairbanks, consider coming to the KUAC studios to record in-person. Email with your availability and your script so we can work with you on studio time.

At this stage, submissions are being collected. Participants will be notified once the segments begin airing on KUAC, so they can listen for their featured word or phrase on the radio.

For more information about participating, please contact Interim Language Revitalization Director, Lucy Miller at [email protected] or KUAC at [email protected]

KUAC is a public media station serving Interior Alaska, providing news, cultural programming, and educational content to its listeners.