Home Our History Our Culture Programs ____________ NewsLetter Calendar of Events FORMS About Us Store Links Contact Us	Moses Dirks ALEUT HERITAGE LIVES Moses grew up with Aleut as his first language, learning the importance of his language and culture from his grandfather and has spent most of his career teaching the Aleut Language and Culture, in Adak in the ‘80’s, and in Unalaska since 1997. He has worked on projects to develop books and dictionaries of the Aleut language, and is co-editor of the book “Aleut Tales and Narrative”, a compilation of stories and legends transcribed from wax cylinders. He has also taught Native language at the University of Alaska. Moses was born in Atka and attended elementary school there, went to Mt. Edgecumbe High for three years, and graduated from Adak High School. He attended the University of Connecticut and received his BA in Aleut Language and Culture from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and a Masters in Art Teaching Alaska Pacific University. He received Aleut linguistics training from renowned Norwegian linguist Knut Bergsland. Moses Dirks at CampQ He has been recognized Bilingual Teacher of the Year, has served as a Regional Coordinator for the Alaska Rural Systemic Initiative, was Mayor of Atka and has served on his Native corporation board. He was recently awarded the Eileen Panigeo MacLean Education Award at the AFN Convention in October for his commitment and dedication to preserving and promoting the traditional Aleut way of life. In modern times the outstanding academic contributor to Aleut linguistics is Knut Bergsland who from 1950 until his death in 1998 worked with Aleut speakers such as William Dirks Sr. and Moses Dirks to design a modern writing system for the language and develop bilingual curriculum materials including school dictionaries for both dialects. Moses and AKRSI regional coordinator, Leona Kitchens, designed a course to teach teachers how to incorporate Unangan's cultural knowledge into their classroom curriculum. A major portion of the course was participation in activities and interviews with Elders at Camp Qunqaayux. He coordinates and teaches for Camp Qungaayux Aleut Culture Camp held annually in Unalaska. He serves as President of the Association for Alaska Bilingual and Bicultural Education, is a member of the Native Educators Association, and is a member of the Museum of the Aleutians Board. Skinning a Seal at CampQ