By now many in Alaska will have learned of the passing of Katherine Peter in Faibanks last Wednesday. Indeed, the obituary in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner was picked up not only by newspapers across Alaksa, but also carried by the AP to newspapers across the lower 48. Such is preeminence of this Gwich'in scholar.
Katherine worked as a faculty member at the Alaska Native Language Center between 1973 and 1980. During that time she "transcribed and composed what is by far the largest and most important body of Gwich'in writing in [the twentieth] century, a whole shelf full of materials in Gwich'in" (Michael Krauss, introduction to the 1992 edition of Neets'ąįį Gwindaii). Some of the more famous of her published works may be familiar to Alaskan readers. These include especially Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik Nagwan Tr'itsáíí: Gwich'in Junior Dictionary; the revised 1992 edition of Neets'ąįį Gwindaii : Living in the Chandalar Country; and Khękwaii Zheh Gwiichì' : Living in the Chief's House. But the bulk of the Katherine Peter's writings have yet to be appreciated by those with an interest in Gwich'in language.
Even after her retirement from ANLC Katherine continued to be involved with major Gwich'in research efforts, contributing her expertise in the fine points of Gwich'in transcription and translation. In fact, it's hard to think of a time when Katherine wasn't active in language work. When I first arrived at ANLC in the early days of the 21st century, Katherine was to be found many mornings working in the language archive, assisting Jeff Leer to flesh out the Comparative Athabaskan Lexicon. Clearly language was one of her passions. Though I never knew Katherine very well, she was always quick to help whenever I struggled to grasp a Gwich'in word. She would laugh as I stumbled over syllables; then her laughter would be followed a much more serious correction.
Surely others will recall other important aspects of Katherine's life. She leaves behind a large family, and her long life brought many experiences. But I am not along in remembering Katherine most for her love of language. At a memorial service this past Saturday the language theme was raised repeatedly. Prayers and songs were conducted in Gwich'in (written in both Takudh and the modern orthography), with even non-speakers making an effort to read and sing the Gwich'in. And all who shared memories of Katherine returned eventually to the central theme of language. Katherine's devotion to her Gwich'in language is her true legacy. This devotion, this passion continues to inspire a new generation of Gwich'in language activists, not least her daughter Kathy Sikorski, Gwich'in language faculty at UAF.
Many of Katherine's publications are still available from the ANLC Press. A complete listing of materials available from the Archive can be found by searching the Alaska Native Language Archive catalog.