Edna Ahgeak MacLean facts for kids

Edna Ahgeak MacLean, also known as Paniattaaq, was born on November 5, 1944. She is an Iñupiaq expert from Alaska. She has worked as a teacher, a linguist (someone who studies languages), and an anthropologist (someone who studies human societies and cultures). Edna MacLean is famous for her efforts to save and bring back the Iñupiaq language.

Growing Up and School

Edna Ahgeak was born in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. This town was known as Barrow before 2016. Her mother was Maria Brower Ahgeak. Her father, Joseph A. Ahgeak, was a hunter. Edna grew up speaking two languages: Iñupiaq and English.

Early School Days

When she was young, Edna went to Barrow Day School. She remembered a time when a teacher did not allow students to speak their native Iñupiaq language. This was a difficult experience for her.

Higher Education

Later, she went to boarding schools like Wrangell Institute and Mount Edgecumbe High School. In 1965, she received a scholarship. This allowed her to attend Colorado Women's College in Denver, Colorado. She earned a bachelor's degree in History there.

She then received a teaching certificate in 1969. This was from the University of California at Berkeley. In 1991, she earned a master's degree. This degree was in Bilingual Education from the University of Washington. Finally, in 1995, she received her Ph.D. (doctorate degree) in Education from Stanford University.

Edna MacLean's Career

Edna MacLean began her career in 1963. She worked at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. There, she taught the Iñupiaq language. She also helped create the first college degree programs for Eskimo languages. She became a tenured associate professor. She worked at the university until 1987.

Working with the Iñupiaq Language

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Edna wrote and published many materials. These materials were all about the Iñupiaq language. In 1981, she published a shorter Iñupiaq dictionary. She also wrote an Iñupiaq grammar book in 1986.

From 1987 to 1990, she worked for the State of Alaska Department of Education. She was a special assistant for rural and Alaska Native education.

Leading Iḷisaġvik College

In 1995, MacLean became the president of Iḷisaġvik College. This college is Alaska's only nationally certified tribal college. She led the college until 2005. Beverly Patkotak Grinage then took over as president.

In the 2000s, she spent two years working on a special project. She helped create a Rosetta Stone software program. This program taught the North Slope dialect of Iñupiaq.

Completing the Dictionary

After 30 years of hard work, she finished a very detailed Iñupiaq-English dictionary in 2014. She retired in 2014. However, she still helps with Iñupiaq language projects in Alaska. She serves on the North Slope Borough’s Iñupiaq History, Language, and Culture Commission.

Awards and Special Recognition

Edna MacLean has received several important awards for her work.

• In 2005, she received the Citizen of the Year Award. This was from the Alaska Federation of Natives.
• In 2006, she won the Distinguished Service to the Humanities Award. This award came from the Governor of Alaska.
• In 2018, she was honored by being added to the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.

Personal Life

Edna MacLean is married to Stephen MacLean, who is an ecologist. They have two sons. Their son Stephen Ahgeak MacLean is a conservationist. Their other son, Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, is a filmmaker. Andrew wrote and directed the 2011 movie On the Ice. Edna helped her son by translating the Iñupiaq lines for the film. She lives in Anchorage, Alaska.