Alaska Indigenous Research Program
Promoting resilience, health and wellness2021 Program Update
We are excited to announce that the 2021 Alaska Indigenous Research Program (AKIRP) will be delivered online to continue our goal of increasing the health research capacity of Alaska Native/American Indian individuals and communities through cross-cultural research education.
The Program will be delivered as an online seminar series of daily 3.5-hour live sessions beginning May 10 and ending May 28.
Each online session will feature facilitated audio-video content, presentations and conversations with accepted participants who previously submitted applications.
Applications for the 2021 program are now open: https://akirp2021.eventbrite.com
Program information

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and Alaska Pacific University (APU) will host the Alaska Indigenous Research Program: Promoting Resilience, Health and Wellness May 10-28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. The program included three weeks of courses, at no cost to the attendee, covering:
- Indigenous and Western research methodologies
- Community-based participatory research
- Culturally responsive community engagement and communication
- Health research ethics
- Health research and historical trauma
Courses are designed for varying levels of experience from beginners to experienced researchers and public health professionals.
Space is limited to 50 people per week. The option to apply for multiple weeks is available. We suggest taking weeks 1 and 2 together or weeks 2 and 3 together.
2021 Schedules to be Announced
May 10-14, 2021
May 17-21, 2021
May 24-28,2021
Program details
- There is no cost for the three weeks of courses
- Academic credit available
Executive Summary
The 2020 AKIRP was well attended with 101 participants and guest speakers from many parts of Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and New Zealand. It proved to be a great success as an inspirational and empowering event that is expected to lead to lifelong friendships and continued collaboration across various sectors, projects and programs. Read the Executive Summary to learn more.
2019 Program Materials
Course materials from 2019 Alaska Indigenous Research Program, including powerpoint presentations, readings and more, are now available. Click the links below to access course materials for each week.

Week one | Advanced research courses
This week is designed for experienced researchers and health professionals. Courses will cover Indigenous and Western knowledge and ways of knowing, decolonizing research practices, Indigenous research methodologies, bringing together multiple perspectives in research, community-based participatory and culturally responsive research as well as historical trauma and research.
Week two | Intermediate research ethics courses
This week is designed for all levels of research experience. Courses will cover the history of research in Alaska, historical trauma, decolonizing research practices, tribally driven health research and research review, human subjects research principles, Institutional Review Board (IRB) review as well as culturally responsive dissemination practices and principles of community-based participatory research.
Week three | Introductory research courses
This week is designed for those who are interested in health research with little to no experience. Courses will cover an introduction to Indigenous and Western research methods, exploration of different types of health research, the One Health perspective, introduction to community-based participatory research, culturally responsive communication and dissemination, introduction to history and ethics health research in Alaska as well as how to integrate Indigenous methods into public health.
About the program
Historically, Alaska Native/American Indian individuals have been underrepresented among researchers and health scientists, and there is a need for Western-trained researchers to be culturally grounded, respectful and responsive in meeting the health needs of Alaska Native/American Indian communities. The goal of this unique research program is to increase the health research capacity of Alaska Native/American Indian individuals and communities by providing cross-cultural research education.


Alaska Indigenous Research Program Tentative Program Overview
For more information:
Contact Karli Tyance Hassell at ktyancehassell@anthc.org or (907) 729-4583.