About the Language of the Year

Encoded within our Indigenous languages is the richest detailing of Alaska’s history, values, knowledge systems, and ways to be in good relationship with one another.

Since 2018 and each year after, FAI has chosen a different Alaska Native language to highlight at the end of the Elders & Youth Conference. Our goal is to feature every one of our Alaska Native languages, and uplift each in our work throughout the year.

This year's Language of the Year is Denaakk'e. 

The 2026 Language of the Year is Denaakk'e, also known as Koyukon Athabascan. Denaakk'e makes up the largest territory of Alaska Athabascan languages, spanning Interior Alaska along the Yukon and Koyukuk Rivers. There are three dialects: Upper, Central, and Lower Denaakk'e. The language carries with it invaluable knowledge about Koyukon ways of life, customs, traditions, and stories.

The Denaakk'e language experts who are guiding our work are Dr. Lorraine Hukk'aaghneestaatlno David from Hughes, Paul Mountain from Nulato, Dewey Kk'ołeyo Hoffman from Rue, Susan K'etsoo Paskvan from Koyukuk, and Eliza Jones, the author of the Koyukon Athabascan Dictionary, from Koyukuk. These language and culture bearers have been instrumental in the Denaakk'e language revitalization and preservation movement.