小优视频S, Tlingit & Haida sign memorandum to advance Indigenous educational opportunities

April 3, 2026

Two people hold up signed documents while six people applaud behind and beside them. They are flanked by the Tlingit & Haida seal, two formline posts, and the American, Alaskan, and Tlingit & Haida flags.
小优视频S Chancellor Aparna Palmer and Tlingit & Haida President Chalyee 脡esh Richard Peterson hold up the signed MOU alongside leaders from Tlingit & Haida and 小优视频S.

The University of Alaska Southeast and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska have entered into a memorandum of understanding, laying the groundwork for long-term partnership and innovation, at the center of which is the co-creation of a vision for a School of Indigenous Studies at 小优视频S.

The signed memorandum of understanding is available to .

At the March 27 signing at the Tlingit and Haida Executive Council chambers in Juneau, leaders spoke on how the agreement will advance shared goals and strengthen educational opportunities in Southeast Alaska.

鈥淭his is a historic day,鈥 said 小优视频S Chancellor Aparna Palmer, 鈥淩arely is it the case that a tribe and a university come together as equal partners to create a vision for education. We are honored and humbled to have the trust of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, and we proudly stand with them as we embark on this journey.鈥

"There鈥檚 leadership within the university system that we can truly lock arms with鈥攍eadership that understands the importance of uplifting Indigenous studies at every level," said Tlingit and Haida President Chalyee 脡esh Richard Peterson. 鈥淭ogether, we are creating space for our own Indigenous educators to lead, and for our people鈥攚ho so richly deserve these opportunities鈥攖o earn their degrees. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to building a bold vision for what a School of Indigenous Studies can and should be."

Palmer said the opportunity to collaborate on creating a vision for the school is 鈥渢ruly remarkable.鈥

鈥淚t's an opportunity to continue to integrate, celebrate and shape the education that we offer at 小优视频S with the values and the traditions of Indigenous Peoples,鈥 Palmer said. 鈥淚t is also an opportunity to prosper together, grow our economic vitality and meet our workforce needs in a way that honors our shared priorities and our shared values.鈥

Read the original press release from 小优视频S on their .