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2020 NPS Alaska Archaeology Month Poster: Antler!
This is number two in a series focused on vital raw materials. Last year we focused on clever ways people used wood in the past. This year the poster highlights antler, a valued material in all corners of Alaska and for as long as people have been here because of its great resiliency and plasticity. The range of uses included snow goggles, combs, net shuttles, arrowheads, snowshoe needles, fish hooks, fish spears, war clubs, armor, harpoon heads, and even food, on occasion.
Cast your vote for the SAA poster contest!
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 SAA Annual Meeting, voting for the 2020 State Archaeology Celebration Poster Contest will take place online. Voting is now open until April 8 at 5:00pm EST. Any SAA member or registrant for the 2020 annual meeting will be eligible to participate. View the entries below and consider casting your vote for Alaska’s entry on “Wood!”
Annual Meeting Photos: Group Share
Members are invited to view and contribute to photos from the 46th Annual Meeting in Nome and 47th Annual Meeting in Fairbanks!
Share your favorite moments from the past two conferences here:
Nome (2019): https://photos.app.goo.gl/R7WMvRQt4fuJwRKb6
Fairbanks (2020): https://photos.app.goo.gl/GrUHbVGzaq7tVw8r5
AkAA Anti-Harassment Policy Training
Please click here for a copy of the presentation from the 47th annual meeting on our anti-harassment policy and how to prevent and respond to harassment. Thanks to STAR for facilitating!
Help save the UAA Master of Arts degree in Anthropology!
Many of the AkAA members already know, but for those who don’t, the MA program in Anthropology at UAA is in jeopardy. The Dean has made a recommendation to delete the MA program in Anthropology at UAA. The BA/BS degrees are recommended for continuation. Alumni and friends of the department have stepped time and again over the last five years to support our program by writing letters and testifying before the Board of Regents and we appreciate your efforts. This time the situation is more dire and the UA budget will be cut by 70 million dollars of State support over the next three years. The loss of the MA program may be a consequence of this. The department submitted on February 28 our response to this decision – they are united in wanting to fight this decision and save the MA program for continuance in the future, once the budget crisis is over. UAA is asking that rather than deleting the MA program, the university suspend it so it can be re-established when conditions are more favorable.
The process will go through several steps. The Provost will review the recommendations from the Dean of our college and submit his findings to Chancellor Sandeen on March 9. There is a period from March 9 to March 18 for feedback, then the Chancellor makes her decision on March 23. This process will be finalized through a meeting of the Board of Regents on June 4/5.
So what can you do to help? UAA department of anthropology faculty are asking that you send letters of support by March 9 to Chancellor Sandeen (with a copy to the anthropology department) describing how their applied program is unique to Alaska, and our place and importance within the anthropological community. Chancellor Sandeen’s address is: University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508. You can also email her at uaa_chancellor@alaska.edu (
Call for 2021 conference host site!
Passing of artist Ron Senungetuk
Artist Ronald Senungetuk of Homer died on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 after a long illness. Ron Senungetuk was Inupiat, a sculptor, silversmith and wood carver of massive cultural influence as an artist, educator and mentor. Click here for more…
Passing of Alan Boraas
November 4, 2019
Alan Boraas died early this morning from a stroke at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. He passed peacefully with family by his side. We will remember his rich life and tireless work to make our world a better place.
Renew your AkAA memberships now!
As you may know, our fiscal year begins on October 1, so many of you may need to renew your memberships now!
International Archaeology Day
