Founder of the Alaska Native Language Center Michael Krauss honored with memorial on Sept. 22

The University of Alaska Fairbanks professor who literally put Alaska Native languages on the map passed away last month near his son’s house outside of Boston. Michael Kruass was one of the world’s foremost scholars of Alaska Native languages and their history and structure.

A public memorial honoring Dr. Krauss' professional life and career will be held in the Davis Concert Hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Sunday, September 22, from 4 to 6 p.m., with a potluck immediately afterward in the Great Hall. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at the University Community Presbyterian Church on Monday, September 23, from noon to 1 p.m.

Krauss devoted his career to identifying and documenting Alaska Native languages, as well as related languages in Canada and Russia. This work led to the creation of one of the most comprehensive collections of language documentation in the world, the Michael E. Krauss Alaska Native Language Archive. His seminal work with Eyak, whose last speaker died in 2008, continued until the time of his death, and serves as a key resource for Eyak language reclamation efforts.

Krauss joined the UAF faculty in 1960 and served as director of the Alaska Native Language Center from its inception in 1972 until his retirement in June 2000. He remained active in efforts to document and promote Alaska’s Native languages and Indigenous languages across the world.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Native Language Archive. Contributions may be made via check or online (reference “In memory of Dr. Michael Krauss”). For more information, please contact UAF Development at 474-2619.