Outer Coast offers free, online Alaska Native language courses for learners from across Alaska and beyond.
For four years running, we have been inspired and humbled by the response to our Alaska Native Language Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Our teachers have included Yeidikookʼáa Dionne Brady-Howard (Outer Coast Indigenous Studies Chair), Skeiwdusá Matthew Spellberg (Outer Coast Dean), X̱’unei Lance Twitchell (UAS Professor of Alaska Native Languages), Dag júus Rob Yates (X̱aad Kíl language scholar), Ggoadm ʼTeebn Victoria McKoy (UAS Language Pathways Scholar), Shiggoap Alfie Price (Shmʼalgyack/Sm’algya̱x language scholar), Yeiltʼoochʼ Tláa Collyne Bunn, and Neilga Koogéi Taija Revels (Central Council of Tlingit and Haida), among many other contributors and guest speakers.
We are excited to continue supporting Southeast Alaska Native Language revitalization efforts, and hosted three language courses this past year: Lingít, Shmʼalgyack/Sm’algya̱x, and X̱aad Kíl. We will update this page with more details on any future courses coming up in the next year.
The courses are free for all participants. Thank you to Sealaska Heritage Institute for co-hosting and sponsoring this program.
Lingít
The 2025 Intermediate Lingít Grammar MOOC has concluded. We hope to offer more Lingít language classes in 2026!
Shm′algyack/Sm’algya̱x
The 2025 Introductory Shm′algyack/Sm’algya̱x MOOC has concluded. We hope to offer more Shm′algyack/Sm’algya̱x language classes in 2026!
X̱aad Kíl
2026 Intro X̱aad Kíl MOOC
Dates: 1/6-2/12
Class Meetings: 12-1PM AKST
Meeting Location: Zoom
Teacher: Dak Júus Rob Yates
Dak Júus Rob Yates is a X̱aad Kíl language scholar/instructor from K’áaws Tláay (Craig), Alaska. He is Raven of the Brown Bear and Dogfish Shark Houses. Dak Júus was selected as one of SHI’s Haida scholars for the Haa Yoo X̱’atángi Deiyí: Our Language Pathways program. He also teaches X̱aad Kíl through Tlingit & Haida twice a week on Zoom.
This X̱aad Kíl MOOC will go over the Haida alphabet, and introduce learners to the unique sounds of the language. We will also cover X̱aad Kíl greetings and responses, everyday phrases, and self-narration strategies and benefits.
