Marilyn Balluta

Marilyn Balluta worked for the Title VII Indian Education Program, Anchorage School District for 30 years as an Administrative Assistant. She retired in December 2012. Marilyn's employment with Title VII Indian Education gave her the opportunity to make connections with the Native community in the Anchorage area through involvement in various Native events. Marilyn made a commitment to support and raise her family as a single mother. My work and dedication to the Title VII Indian Education did have a impact on the education of our Native students in Anchorage School District.

Marilyn has the passion to preserve indigenous Native languages, especially her own Dena'ina language. Marilyn has participated in the Dena'ina Language Institute (DLI) from May 2000 to 2009. The Dena'ina Language Institute provided classes for individuals to teach indigenous language as well as Elder mentors of Dena'ina language and culture. Marilyn attended the University of Fairbanks, Alaska Native Language Center to obtain a certificate to teach Native language. She attended the American Indian Language Development Institute (AILDI), University of Arizona Tucson to take classes in linguistics and language policy and practices.

Marilyn has taught Dena'ina language classes for K-12 grades to adult at the Title VII Indian Education, Evening Program and Summer Enrichment programs.

Marilyn is an Adjunct Professor for the University of Alaska Anchorage to teach Dena'ina language. This is the first time Dena'ina Athabascan language is being offer for credit at the University of Anchorage. Anchorage area is the homeland of the Dena'ina Athabascan people.

On the community level, Marilyn is teaching a Dena'ina language class for the Tebughna Foundation on Mondays by flying over to Tebughna (Tyonek) Village and on Wednesdays in Anchorage which began in September 2012.

One spoken word in Dena'ina is One less word lost!

Chin'an (Thank You)