Alaska Pacific University (APU) has announced the launch of its new Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous studies, giving students a dedicated undergraduate pathway to study Indigenous knowledges, cultures, histories, languages, governance, and contemporary issues through an interdisciplinary, Alaska Native-centered curriculum. Through coursework rooted in Alaska Native perspectives and global Indigenous experiences, students examine the complex relationships among history, culture, sovereignty, environmental stewardship, research, policy, and community well-being.

“As an Alaska Native-serving institution, APU has many students, both Native and non-Native, who are interested in Indigenous perspectives from Alaska and around the world,” said APU research professor Beth Leonard. “The multidisciplinary nature of Indigenous studies makes it an ideal field for students who want to explore how Indigenous knowledges and sciences can inform approaches to complex social and environmental challenges.”

The BA in Indigenous studies is designed for students interested in a wide range of careers, including tribal government and administration, Indigenous policy and advocacy, community and nonprofit leadership, cultural resource management, education and outreach, environmental stewardship, communications, public affairs, grant writing, and program development. Students in the new program explore Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, and contemporary issues while drawing on expertise across APU. Focused electives include areas such as Alaska Native languages, fine arts, land stewardship, sustainability studies, shamanism, and peacemaking.

The program also gives students the flexibility to shape their degree around their own interests, drawing from programs and minors across APU’s curriculum, including the sciences, psychology, outdoor studies, business, humanities, and fine arts. This interdisciplinary structure allows students to make Indigenous studies the central focus of their undergraduate education while connecting their studies to complementary academic fields.

Courses are available through a mix of on-campus and synchronous online formats, providing flexibility for students balancing education with work, family, and community commitments. “This program reflects the kind of education APU does best,” said APU provost Andrew Gades. “Students can build a strong academic foundation while connecting what they learn to real communities, real questions, and the future of Alaska.”

With the launch of its BA in Indigenous studies, Alaska Pacific University becomes one of only a few institutions in Alaska offering a bachelor’s degree specifically dedicated to Indigenous studies. APU’s Indigenous studies degree offers a potentially broader, more flexible focus for students who want to craft their own degree focus within the major. 

APU’s program also offers an emphasis on Indigenous communities both in Alaska and around the world. Lower-division courses ground students in Alaska Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues, while upper-division coursework builds on this foundation to explore global Indigenous perspectives and approaches to land management, science, ways of knowing, well-being, and research. 

For APU, the new major represents a natural expansion of the university’s existing Indigenous studies offerings, previously available as an Indigenous studies minor. The major gives students the opportunity to make Indigenous studies the central focus of their undergraduate education while tailoring their degree to their interests. Students can shape their coursework by combining Indigenous studies with disciplines and departments across the university.

As Alaska continues to navigate questions surrounding tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, education, health, economic development, and community well-being, the need for professionals who understand Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems continues to grow. APU’s BA in Indigenous studies prepares students to approach these issues with critical thinking, cultural understanding, research skills, and an appreciation for the diverse experiences of Indigenous peoples.

“Alaska’s future depends on people who understand the strength and diversity of Indigenous communities and who are prepared to work collaboratively across cultures and institutions,” said Dr. Leonard. “We are excited to give students another pathway to develop that knowledge and put it into practice.”