Lance Twitchell facts for kids
Lance X̱ʼunei Twitchell, born in 1975, is an American scholar and poet. He is also a champion for bringing back Native languages. He teaches Alaska Native Languages at the University of Alaska Southeast. You might know his work from the show "Molly of Denali".
In 2018, he became a tenured professor at the University of Alaska Southeast. This means he has a permanent teaching position. He helps lead the Alaska Native Language Preservation & Advisory Council. The governor chose him for this important role.
He studied at several universities. He earned his Ph.D. in Hawaiian and Native language revitalization. This was from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He also has a master's degree in creative writing. This was from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. His first degree was in English from the University of Minnesota.
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Early Life and Heritage
Lance Twitchell is a member of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. He has a rich family background. His heritage includes Tlingit, Haida, Yup'ik, and Sámi cultures.
Achievements and Contributions
Lance Twitchell has received many awards for his work. He has also written poems and books. His work helps people learn and understand Native languages.
Awards and Recognition
- 2013: He received the Top Forty Under 40 award. This was from the Alaska Journal of Commerce.
- 2016: He earned the Judson L. Brown Leadership Award. This award came from the Sealaska Heritage Institute.
- 2017: He was honored with the Contributions to Literacy in Alaska (CLIA) Award. This was from the Alaska Center for the Book.
- 2020: He received the First Alaskan Institute Young Native Leader Award.
Published Poems
Lance Twitchell's poems often explore Native culture and language.
- Several of his poems were published in 2009. These include "Nanook Sweats" and "Ode to Tlingit." They appeared in the Yellow Medicine Review.
- He co-authored "Shaawatkʼeʼs Birth" in 2016. This poem was also filmed by the Alaska Quarterly Review.
Books and Guides
He has written several books. These books are important tools for learning the Tlingit language.
- Haa Wsineix̲ Haa Yoo X̲'atángi (Our language Saved Us): A Guidebook for Learning the Tlingit Language
- Beginning Tlingit Workbook (2017)
- Tlingit Reference Guide: Verbs, Grammar, Location & Direction, Concepts (2020)
Book Chapters
- He co-wrote a chapter called Tlingit use of marine space: putting up fish. This was with Caskey Russell.
