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X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, M.F.A., Ph.D.

X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, M.F.A., Ph.D. (hú/du, he/him)

Professor of Alaska Native Languages

Arts and Sciences — Humanities

Education

  • Ph.D, Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization (2018) — Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, University of Hawaii Hilo
  • MFA, Creative Writing (2010) — University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • BA, English & Minor in American Indian Studies (2007) — University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  • Tlingit Immersion Camps — University of Alaska Southeast & Sealaska Heritage Institute
  • Certification, Village Management Institute — Sheldon Jackson College

Biography

  • Assistant Professor of English, University of Alaska Fairbanks (2010-2011)
  • Teacher, UAF Upward Bound (2010)
  • Teaching Assistant, University of Alaska Fairbanks (2007-2010)
  • Tlingit Language Instructor, Carcross-Tagish First Nation (2006, 2009, 2010)
  • Research Assistant, University of Alaska Southeast (2007, 2010)
  • Tlingit Language Teacher, Dzánt’iki Héeni Middle School (2007)
  • Actor & Tlingit Language Teacher, Perseverance Theatre (2007)
  • Tlingit Language Teacher, Skagway Traditional Council (2004-2007)

Other

Native Names

  • Xh’unei (Tlingit)
  • Du Aaní Kawdinook (Tlingit)
  • Kh’eijáakw (Haida)

Current Projects

  • Alaska Native Languages & Studies Column, Juneau Empire
  • Alaska Native Languages & Studies Entries, Huffington Post
  • Northwest Coast Native design projects
  • Alaska Native Modern Art projects
  • For the Love of Our Grandchildren: Tlingit Language & Knowledge Bearers, a film
  • Never Forgotten: The Story of Tlingit Veteran’s of Combat, a film
  • Beneath the Foot of the Sun, a book of poetry
  • Raven Speak, a play
  • Pebbles from the Beach, a screenplay
  • Coyote’s Song, a novel
  • Lingít Language Curriculum (2nd edition)
  • Tlingit Language Documentation, Transcription, & Translation

Professional Awards & Service

  • Top 40 Under 40, The Alaska Journal of Commerce award for up-and-coming leaders who demonstrate professional excellence and a commitment to community.
  • Alaska Native Heritage Center Language Advisory Committee Member.
  • Moment of Birth, giclée print—entry, 2012 Celebration Juried Art Show.
  • Commissioned artist for Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indians of Alaska (2010-12).
  • Commissioned artist for 2010 Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Tribal Leaders Summit.
  • Raven and the Beauty of the Eagle Spirit, giclée print—third place, Celebration Juried Art Show
  • 2010 Dennis Demmert Appreciation and Recognition Award from Native Alaskan Business Leaders at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in acknowledgement of support for Alaskan Native and rural Alaskan students.
  • 2009 Alaska Native Visionary Award from the Alaska Native Heritage Month Committee in acknowledgement of artistic and cultural contributions to the Native community.
  • 2009 Vine Deloria Jr. Memorial Scholarship from the American Indian College Fund.
  • Recipient of a 2009 Vine Deloria Jr. Memorial Scholarship from the American Indian College Fund.
  • A Voice in the Dusk: Language and the Modern Day Warrior, essay—third place, University of Alaska Harold McCracken Award for Outstanding Fiction and Nonfiction Writing About Alaska and the North Country (Spring, 2009).
  • In a Backstroke of Pedals, short story—second place, University of Alaska Farthest North Fiction Contest (Spring, 2009).
  • Xíxhch’, giclée print—third place, Fairbanks Arts Association Digital Media Art Contest (January, 2009).
  • Du Xoonx’í Yán, Dleit Geedí, giclée print—winner, Alaska Native Heritage Month Art Showcase (November, 2008).
  • Kids in Schizophrenia, memoir—winner, University of Alaska Harold McCracken Award for Outstanding Fiction and Nonfiction Writing About Alaska and the North Country (Spring, 2008).
  • George McDaniel Writing Fund (2008–2009).
  • Logo design & web design for Southeast Alaska Tribal Department of Transportation (2007).
  • Anna Augusta Von Helmholtz Phelan Scholarship in Creative Writing (1998).
  • University of Minnesota Alumni Association Student Leadership Award (1998).
  • University of Minnesota President’s Student Leadership & Service Award (1998).

X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, M.F.A., Ph.D.

Professor of Alaska Native Languages

Arts and Sciences — Humanities

X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, M.F.A., Ph.D.
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