Education
Sondra received her MA in 2016 from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in Applied
Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition Teaching. Her project was focused on task-based
language teaching which you teach Native language through cultural projects.
Biography
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart is Ahtna Dene of the taltsiine (water clan) and Pyramid Lake
Paiute of the cui-ui ticutta (fish-eaters). Sondra, is a Nay'dini'aa Na' Kayax (Chickaloon
Native Village) Tribal citizen. Sondra is wife and mother of three wonderful men and
she currently lives at Kahtnu (Kenai); 150 miles south of Anchorage. Sondra has served
as a Chickalooon Village Traditional Council Member since 2019. Sondra is a standing
committee member on the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Education Committee, a board member
on the Benteh/Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center Joint Operating Board, the
Ce’yiits Hwnax Life House Community Health Center Advisory Committee. Even though
she is a language learner, she would like to develop ways for the Ahtna language to
grow in our communities and the world. She hopes to honor her family and ancestors
by sharing what she has learned, especially with the younger generations.
Teaching Responsibilities
Shaginoff-Stuart is the current Alaska Native Studies Program Chair and teaches Alaska
Native Studies course.
Research Interests
Second Language Acquisition Dene Langauge Education Task-Based Language Learning Community
Building