What about Willow?

News of the Willow Project has been sweeping the internet for a while now. Many might recognize the hashtag “StopWillow” on posts and videos, which invokes the question “what is Willow?” and “what impact will it have on the climate and Alaska wildlife?”  The Willow Project is located on the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), 23-million acres of federal land on Alaska’s North Slope set aside … Continue reading What about Willow?

Letter to the Editor: Ballot Measure 1

UAS students, faculty, staff and families should vote NO on Ballot Measure 1, because an Alaska constitutional convention could endanger our university. Article VII established UA, but a convention could erase that. Delegates could propose changing anything and everything in Alaska’s constitution. What’s guaranteed now—such as a woman’s right to choose—might evaporate. Multiple chambers of commerce oppose BM1 because a convention would harm businesses, making … Continue reading Letter to the Editor: Ballot Measure 1

What Shall We Do With Our Heroes?

An essay excerpted from Professor Ernestine Hayes’ presentation Stories of Deer on Indigenous Peoples’ Day Oct. 9 By ERNESTINE HAYES for the UAS Whalesong What would we do if in the year 2020— only a couple years from now—this American culture was suddenly subdued by another culture that believed theirs was the superior way of living, their god was the one true god, their language … Continue reading What Shall We Do With Our Heroes?

A Letter from the Editor: On The Future of the Whalesong

daniel-piscoya-1BY DANIEL PISCOYA
Managing Editor, UAS Whalesong

In my very first Letter from the Editor, I praised this university’s close-knit community and sense of participation. In my last letter, I will say that if this tradition is not bolstered in the coming years, there will be a time with no more letters – no more Whalesong. Continue reading “A Letter from the Editor: On The Future of the Whalesong”

Ignorance in its Place

BY GINGER BEAR
For the UAS Whalesong

There is wisdom everywhere. Most people ignore wisdom that does not come from some stuffy book or the equally stuffy academics who write them. Wisdom that comes from our elders and our history is largely ignored, especially Native American history in America. A lifetime of knowledge can be overlooked because it did not come from someone who has gone through the colonial education system. Science was practiced long before this system came along by people all over the world. Continue reading “Ignorance in its Place”

A Letter from the Editor: UAS Needs its Bookstore Back

daniel-piscoya-1BY DANIEL PISCOYA
Managing Editor, UAS Whalesong

Two years ago, when I was a Staff Writer for the Whalesong, I interviewed Tom Dienst, Director of UAS Business Services, on the closure of the UAS Bookstore, once located at Auke bay. Continue reading “A Letter from the Editor: UAS Needs its Bookstore Back”

Students: Get Some Skin in the Game

daniel-piscoya-1BY DANIEL PISCOYA
Managing Editor, UAS Whalesong

Being the Editor of our university’s student newspaper is a position which has offered me deep involvement in campus life, university politics, and the greater Juneau community.

Looking back, though, I’ve been the Editor of the Whalesong for two years – that’s half my college career and two-thirds the amount of time I’ve been involved with the Whalesong in the first place. I was offered this position only a year after I started work as a Staff Writer.

I am a man of no exceptional talent and no previous journalism experience – I just said I was interested.

After that statement has sunken in, students at this university ought to realize that there may be opportunities for deep involvement with university organizations, student clubs, and community programs that outstrip not only the other UA campuses, but most other universities in the nation. Continue reading “Students: Get Some Skin in the Game”

15th Annual UAS Oratory: Finding Your Path in Life

BY ANA CHRISTINE TAFOYA
For the UAS Whalesong

My name is Ana Christine Gabrielle Tafoya. I was born in Taos, New Mexico. I was previously attended the University of New Mexico and while I was on the National Student Exchange program attending UAS in 2015. I transferred last semester to UAS to pursue my degree in Marine Biology. I will finish bachelors in the Spring of 2019. Continue reading “15th Annual UAS Oratory: Finding Your Path in Life”

15th Annual UAS Oratory: The Story of UAS

BY FELIX THILLET
Radio UAS
For the UAS Whalesong

The story of UAS is the story of the people that represent it. It is the story of the people who both work and study within the physical and virtual structures of the institution. It is the story of the people who live side by side, creating the community which UAS Juneau calls home. The story of UAS is the story less told, especially by those who have heard it the most. Continue reading “15th Annual UAS Oratory: The Story of UAS”

UA: An Alternative Defense

daniel-piscoya-1BY DANIEL PISCOYA
Managing Editor, UAS Whalesong

In Staff Writer Erin Laughlin’s article on the University of Alaska’s budget debate with the state, she makes reference to the projection that, by 2025, 65% of Alaska’s jobs will require higher education. For the Alaska Postsecondary Access and Completion Network, this isn’t simply a projection, this is a goal. Nicknamed the “65 by 2025” goal, the network has aimed to ensure that “65% of Alaskans have a credential by 2025,” according to their website, 65by2025.org. Continue reading “UA: An Alternative Defense”