APRIL 3, 2016

KOYUKON-ATHABASCAN LINGUIST NEEŁTENOYENEEŁNO (ELIZA JONES) INDUCTED INTO ALASKA WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

Born in 1938 in Cutoff, Alaska (AK), near Huslia, Eliza’s name means “She has versatile talent.” Raised in camps trapping for food and for furs, Jones grew up with great storytellers and culture bearers. In 1958, Eliza married and moved to Koyukuk where she and her husband raised 10 children. In 1970, moving to Fairbanks, Eliza began working at University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). There and at AK Native Language Center (ANLC), she taught the Koyukon-Athabaskan language, and wrote about Koyukon culture & traditions. Her work reenergized language revitalization efforts in interior communities. Upon her retirement from UAF in 1990, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters. Her efforts culminated in the publication of the Koyukon Athabaskan Dictionary in 2000 which received an AK Native Literary Arts Award. She continues to work for Yukon-Koyukuk School District as a Language Specialist and has served on the Gana-a’ Yoo board of directors and Yukon River Fisheries advisory board.

Sources:

“Eliza Jones,” Alaska Women's Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 11/26/2022, Eliza Jones | Alaska Women's Hall Of Fame (alaskawomenshalloffame.org)

“Eliza Jones,” UAF Centennial.  Retrieved 11/26/2022, Eliza Jones | UAF Centennial

Photo:  Courtesy of Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.  Source: Eliza Jones | Alaska Women's Hall Of Fame (alaskawomenshalloffame.org)