Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has posted two new interactive language tools on the Internet to help teach the Tlingit language. 

The tools allow students to see and hear Tlingit words and phrases. “Bear Barometer” teaches Tlingit phrases for weather through a series of scenes featuring a boy and a bear exposed to the elements. The story was written by Tlingit teacher and speaker Ruth Demmert, who also recorded the audio for the project. “Numbers” teaches Tlingit words for numbers 1-200 and features audio by John Marks.

“We know teachers are using these tools in classrooms in Southeast Alaska and that children are responding favorably to them. Young students are drawn to computer-based, interactive programs,” said SHI President Rosita Worl, noting one of the institute’s priorities is to teach Native languages to children.

The projects were funded in part by a grant from ConocoPhillips. The tools are posted on SHI’s language resources webpage at http://www.sealaskaheritage.org/programs/language_resources.htm

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private, nonprofit founded in 1981 to administer cultural and educational programs for Sealaska Corp. The institute is governed by an all-Native Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars. Its mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska.

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CONTACT: Rosita Worl, SHI President, 463-4844 (for assistance with contact during holidays, call Kathy Dye @ 321-4636)