Adult Learning Programs of Alaska and Oral History

"When you're writing a story, you are taking a lot of time writing it down and you have to remember what you are writing and what you already wrote and what you are going to write ahead of time. You forget part of it as you are writing. Whereas when you speak, you can speak it all out at one time. That's the difference. Writing takes too much time. You forget. You do forget parts of it. What you are going to say." Elizabeth Bernhardt Pinson on Telling vs. Writing

Adult Learning Programs of Alaska promotes the collection of stories and the preservation of oral tradition and narrative through oral history. In this endeavor, we partner with the Oral History Archives at the Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the National Park Service regional office in Anchorage, and the national Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

What is the Alaska Native Elders Oral History Project?

The Alaska Native Elders Oral History Project preserves Alaska Native elders' unique stories and wisdom for generations to follow. Youth throughout Interior Alaska are empowered through oral history as they hear and record the stories of their elders. In collaboration with Denakkanaaga and Tanana Chiefs Conference, Adult Learning Programs is excited to launch this project. For more information or to volunteer call (907) 452-6434 Ext. 26.

What is the Veterans History Project?
Congress enacted legislation in 2000 to establish a national project of preservation for the memories of veterans. The Veterans History Project (VHP) is a nation-wide effort administered by the Library of Congress to collect and preserve the experiences of America's veterans and civilians with wartime experiences. Chiefly, the VHP seeks to record interviews and gather written manuscripts and pictures from World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. In 2001 Adult Learning Programs of Alaska became an official partner with the national project. To date, we have gathered approximately 80 interviews.

The Veterans History Project works to advance community education. Each year we offer a college credit class through a partnership with University of Alaska Fairbanks Tanana Valley Campus on oral history and interviewing techniques. Through this course technicians and community volunteers are taught the rudiments of oral history collection and preservation. Staff are available to tailor training and presentations to community needs. In return, community members may volunteer their services in the Veterans History Project .

How can I get involved?

• Volunteer to interview a veteran
• If you are a veteran and would like to share your story, have us interview you
• Make a financial contribution
• Become a Veterans History Project technician

• Andy Blossy
• Joseph Fields
• Richard Frank
• Mark Lomax
• Tom Moyer
• Bill Schneider
• John Swan