Re-aired November 2019
Follow four Alaska Native women fighting to save Kodiak Alutiiq.
Follow four Alaska Native women fighting to save Kodiak Alutiiq, an endangered language spoken by fewer than 40 remaining fluent Native elders. On remote Afognak Island, they inspire young people to learn the language and dances of their ancestors.
Follow four Alaska Native women fighting to save Kodiak Alutiiq, an endangered language spoken by fewer than 40 remaining fluent Native elders. On remote Afognak Island, they inspire young people to learn the language and dances of their ancestors.
![Preview]()
Preview
![Where Are Your Keys?]()
How the community came to embrace this language learning and teaching technique.
Where Are Your Keys?
![Eli and Sven on Carving and Identity]()
Eli and Sven on Carving and Identity
Eli learns to carve with Sven, alongside other Alaska Native kids at camp.
Eli and Sven on Carving and Identity
Providing Support for PBS.org
Providing Support for PBS.org
Photos from Keep Talking
1/6
The Kodiak Alutiiq dancers. From left: Samantha Haiglin, Margaret Roberts, and Sadie Coyle.
Photo by Sarah Harrington
2/6
Candace Branson (right), teaching kids at Dig Afognak camp on Afognak Island, Alaska.
Photo by Nara Garber
3/6
Sadie Coyle laughing after her rehearsal with the Kodiak Alutiiq dancers.
Photo by Nara Garber
4/6
Dig Afognak camp. From left: Eli Kniaziowski and Dehrich Schmidt-Chya.
Photo by Nara Garber
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A “language fishing” session. From left: Sophie Shepard, Kathryn Chichenoff, Marya Halvorsen and Candace Branson.
Photo by Nara Garber
6/6
Sadie Coyle performing with the Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference.
Photo by Nara Garber
About the Show
"Keep Talking" follows four Alaska Native women fighting to save Kodiak Alutiiq, an endangered language now spoken by less than 40 remaining fluent Native Elders. Their small community travels to remote Afognak Island to start teaching kids Alutiiq. At the camp, Sadie, a troubled teen, is inspired to begin learning the language and dances of her ancestors.
Over the next five years, the women overcome historical and personal traumas to find joy and hope in the revitalization of their cultural heritage. At the camp, Sadie, a troubled teen, is inspired to begin learning the language and dances of her ancestors. Over the next five years, the women overcome historical and personal traumas to find joy and hope in the revitalization of their cultural heritage.
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