At graduation, students will be formally recognized for their academic achievements. Heather Kendall-Miller, a UAF graduate and attorney who works with the Native American Rights Fund in Anchorage, is the keynote speaker. She has worked on several Native American Rights cases including the U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Indian Country. RAHI features a high-powered, full university academic program focusing on writing research papers. The program also offers college courses in chemistry, study skills, business management, mathematics, Alaska Native studies and computers.
Students can take additional courses in Alaska Native dance and swimming.
Each RAHI student will graduate next week with eight or more UAF credits for their efforts and start a university transcript toward bachelor's degree requirements. We emphasize and reinforce the need for each student to value and rejoice in his or her own culture and the other diverse Alaska Native cultures that are represented in the RAHI program. Alaska Native cultures represented this summer include Tsimshian, Tlingit, Alutiiq, Sugpiaq, Upper Kuskokwim Athabaskan, Central Yup'ik, Siberian Yup'ik, Inupiaq, Ahtna Athabaskan and Koyukon Athabaskan. To attend, students must be college-bound juniors or seniors in high school with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Ninety students applied this year for admission into the program.