UAS ‘Evening at Egan’ lectures on Indigenous languages, flood, climate begin Sept. 18

University of Alaska Southeast environmental science professor Eran Hood points at a new Alaska Glacial Lake Flood Dashboard during an "Evening at Egan" lecture on Oct. 10, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

(University of Alaska Southeast press release)

The University of Alaska Southeast annual fall lecture series, Evening at Egan, kicks off Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. with a panel discussion featuring Indigenous language educators. 

In “Learning and Teaching the Language of the Land: Insights from Alaskan Teachers,” six panelists will speak from their experiences of pairing Indigenous language learning with music, dance, food harvesting and other cultural practices. They will share how integrating the language of the land in teaching has influenced the cultural identity development of Indigenous children, strengthening their academic success. 

Other lectures will include an update on Juneau’s glacial lake outburst flood from Eran Hood and Jason Amundson, high-altitude agriculture and climate from Shae Frydenlund, and Indigenous-settler land coalitions in the Desert Southwest from Taylor Rose.

“This fallʼs lecture series features UAS scholarship, research, and creative activities that center reciprocal relationships with community,” said Alison Staudinger, interim dean of the UAS School of Arts & Sciences. “By grounding our academic work in local collaboration, we ensure that university research directly enriches the places and people we serve. Whether you join us on campus or via livestream, your presence is a vital part of this exchange. We look forward to learning together this semester in community!”

The five lectures will take place in the Egan Lecture Hall, Egan 112, and via Zoom. They will be recorded for later viewing on the UAS YouTube channel.

The 2026 Evening at Egan lecture series schedule:

• Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.: “Learning and Teaching the Language of the Land: Insights from Alaskan Teachers,” with Southeast Alaska educators Chelsee Cook, Amber Frommherz, Lorrie Gax̱.áan.sán Heagy, Naomi Hana’ackm Ggoadm ‘Tsoal Leask, Koolyéik Roby Littlefield, and Koogak'aax Angie Lunda.

• Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.: “Climate Change and High-Altitude Agriculture: The Work Plants Do,” with Shae Frydenlund, assistant professor of alpine and Arctic studies. 

• Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.: “The 2026 Glacier Outburst Flood: Lower and Slower,” with Jason Amundson, professor of geophysics, and Eran Hood, professor of environmental science. 

• Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.: “Unlikely Alliances? Oral Histories of Indigenous-Settler Coalitions for Land in the Desert Southwest,” with Taylor Rose, assistant professor of history. 

• Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.: Topic to be announced. 

  
  

The UAS School of Arts and Sciences hosts the series with support from the Office of the Chancellor. Evening at Egan lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, visit uas.alaska.edu/eganlecture.