Dena’ina Ełnena (Anchorage), Alaska — The Alaska Institute for Justice (AIJ) is proud to announce the launch of the Alaska Native Languages Program’s (AKNLP) newest language access resource, Aperyarat Calricaraam Tungiinun, a Yup’ik Glossary focused on providing behavioral health and medical terminology for Yup’ik speakers and service providers. Aperyarat Calricaraam Tungiinun translates to “Terminology Related to Health & Well-Being” in Yup’ik, one of Alaska’s many Alaska Native languages.
The glossary provides a much-needed resource for Yup’ik interpreters and those serving Yup’ik speaking individuals to be able to breakdown language barriers and increase understanding of their health and the healthcare system. The glossary is built to be interactive, where one can listen to the audio and be able to visualize the spelling and translations.
“This resource is vital to our Yup’ik-speaking relatives because it not only bridges the language gap between healthcare professionals and their Yup’ik-speaking patients but also creates space for meaningful conversations about behavioral and mental health care,” said Moses Marr’aq Wiseman, AIJ’s Alaska Native Languages Program Director.
“Aperyarat Calricaraam Tungiinun has been years in the making and reflects AIJ’s commitment to serving Alaskans, and especially honoring the processes developed by Alaska Native Speakers – this resource was made in collaboration with Yup’ik speakers, with them and for them,” said Indra Arriaga, Strategic and Operational Director for the Alaska Institute for Justice.
Aperyarat Calricaraam Tungiinun will be launched at AIJ’s Fundraiser on November 1st. If you would like to join us at to celebrate AIJ’s 20 Years Rooted in Justice: Where Culture Meet, Communities Grow celebration, please get your tickets here.
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The Alaska Institute for Justice is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the human rights of all Alaskans. Formerly known as the Alaska Immigration Justice Project, it transformed into the Alaska Institute for Justice to reflect the inclusion of additional programs. Our mission is to promote and protect the human rights of all Alaskans including immigrants, refugees and Alaska Native communities. We house three programs: Alaska Immigration Justice Project (Legal Services); Language Interpreter Center; Alaska Climate Justice Program.