Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida)has announced that Daaljíni, Mary Cruise, has been promoted to Tlingit Immersion Manager.
Since 2019, Daaljíni served as the lead instructor for the Tribe’s Haa Yóo X̱ʼatángi Kúdi (HYXK) Language Immersion Nest, which is a community-based language learning program focused on improving language transmission between generations and within families. The program immerses students, ages three to six years old, in the Lingít language and ensures families are provided the resources needed to be on the language journey with their children.
As the Tlingit Immersion Manager, Daaljíni will develop and implement the Lingít immersion curriculum and support Early Education initiatives through collaboration with birth speakers, Elders, tribal programs, educators, and partners to embed Indigenous languages in early education programs throughout Southeast Alaska.
“There are many language learners and warriors, but there are few educators who teach our children in our Indigenous languages,” shared Amelia Rivera, Senior Director of the Cultural Heritage & Education Division. “I’m so proud of the commitment Daaljíni has made to her learning, to uplift our precious Elders, collaborate with her peers in the Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy (TCLL) program, empower her staff, and contribute to our partner organizations. But mostly, I’m in awe of the profound impact she and other Haa Yóo X̱ʼatángi Kúdi language nest staff have on our youngest tribal citizens. Because of their work, our students are firmly rooted in their culture, a foundation that allows them to be unapologetically Tlingit.”
Daaljíni has been preparing for her role in supporting the revitalization of the Lingít language. She has been mentored by Ḵaakal.aat, Florence Sheakley, and studied under Nora and Richard Dauenhauer, Selina Everson, Flora Huntington, and Lillian Austin.
“Working in Haa Yóo X̱ʼatángi Kúdi has been the most rewarding job I have ever held,” shared Daaljíni. “I love working in a safe space with my teaching team, helping to nurture our children in our language. I cannot wait to see where this path takes our language.”
Daaljíni holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education through the University of Alaska Southeast’s Preparing Indigenous Teachers and Administrators for Alaska Schools (PITAAS) program.
Daaljínigrew up in Deishú (Haines) and Lḵóot (Chilkoot) and is Tlingit and Southern Tuchone. She is from the Ch’áak’ (Eagle) moiety and the Yanwaasháa Kaagwaantan clan, and is a child of the L’uknax̱ .ádi clan.
