Honorary Doctorate to Yup'ik elder/storyteller Annie Blue

Graduation at UAF in 2009 brought much to celebrate! Here at the Women's Center, along with our celebration of all graduates and their accomplishments, we were particularly excited about the opportunity to celebrate the honorary doctor of humane letters degree bestowed upon Yup’ik elder and storyteller Annie Cungauyar Blue during the 87th UAF commencement ceremony.

Annie Blue is known throughout Alaska for her work to share and preserve Yup’ik stories and culture. From the time of her birth in a remote camp on the Togiak River in 1916, Blue has lived and learned the traditional ways and stories of her people and passed on and shared that knowledge with succeeding and future generations. Highlights from a UAF standpoint include Blue's collaboration on and featuring in the “Math in a Cultural Context” series of elementary school math modules based on traditional Yup’ik knowledge, as well as her work with the Alaska Native Language Center sharing her stories in the 2007 book and CD “Cungauyaraam Qulirai ‘Annie Blue’s Stories’.” In addition to these academic endeavors, Annie Blue shares her knowledge informally with community, government and school groups throughout Alaska, the nation and the world.

THANKS to Annie Blue for all she does and continues to do, and congratulations on this tremendous honor. Congratulations also to UAF for their recognition of the work and accomplishments of this outstanding woman!

UAF Photo (of Annie Blue) by Todd Paris