Alaska Native Political Leadership and Higher Education: One University, Two Universes

Through an in-depth study of Alaskan indigenous communities, Jennings explores the relationship between land and education. He reveals how Euro-American institutions attempt to redefine indigenous understandings of land and spirituality to make them conform to those in the dominant society. The author proposes educational agendas that are components of native sovereignty, with their distinctive spiritual, intellectual, and material relationships to land. This book is valuable for educational policymakers, and instructors in education, anthropology and Native American studies.

Michael L. Jennings is professor of Philosophy and Humanities at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and president of the union United Academics. He has also served as assistant professor of political science and director of Alaskan Native studies at the University of Alaska, Archorage; special assistant to the University of Alaska system-wide president; special assistant to the president of Tanana Valley Community College; deputy director of the Fairbanks Native Association; and educational field counselor for the Alaska Federation of Natives, Inc.