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The School Business Partnership
between Chugiak High School and the
Native Village of Eklutna was formalized
on November 12, 1997. In the agreement,
the Native Village of Eklutna agreed to
share their knowledge of "Eklutna history,
personal life stories, and teach some traditional
skills and knowledge about the
world around us, important values needed
and our understanding as Athabascan
peoples and the purpose for certain things."
In the past and particularly
during the past year, staff and students
of Chugiak High School collaborated with
the Native Village of Eklutna to facilitate
the sharing of this knowledge.
- Groups of CHS students, including
German and Russian exchange students
from partner schools, toured
the museum and spirit houses at the
Eklutna Village. The Village even
made arrangements to provide a
German-speaking tour guide for the
German exchange group.
- Individual members of the Eklutna
Village have visited US history classes
to discuss and share knowledge
of the history of the Native Village
of
Eklutna.
- On October 10, 2002, Chugiak High
School hosted a "community potlatch
to embrace the Alaska Native culture
within the Chugiak area and celebrate
the diversity that is present at
CHS."
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The potlatch featured Native foods,
Athabascan dancers, and an inter-tribal
drumming group. Approximately 25-30
members of the Native Village of Eklutna
and 200 CHS staff/students attended the
potlatch. The intention is to make the
potlatch
an annual tradition at CHS.
To honor and embrace Chugiak's special
relationship with the Native Village of
Eklutna, the CHS staff elected to use the
Dena'ina Athabascan language to name
the four smaller learning community houses.
A Native group consisting of Marilyn
Balluta, Pauline Hobson, Alberta Stephan
and Lee Stephan spent several weeks
researching and gathering the names.
House names representing the four seasons:
nughnija (spring), shan (summer),
naqeli (fall), and heyi (winter) have been
selected and dedicated.
 The 1 Percent for the Art committee at
CHS has the desire to select Native art
for
the renovations. They are working with
Eklutna tribal members and other Natives
to facilitate this selection.
In conclusion, the collaboration
between the Native Village of Eklutna
and
Chugiak High School has tapped a rich
resource in our community. The impact
for all CHS students and staff includes
greater appreciation of Native life
style and
traditions, as well as sharing knowledge
and developing a sense of community.
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