Ahtna is the traditional language of the Ahtna Dene people of south-central Alaska. Belonging to the Athabascan language family, Ahtna has been spoken for generations throughout the Copper River region and remains an important part of Ahtna identity, culture, and traditional knowledge. Like many Indigenous languages, Ahtna has experienced a decline in fluent speakers, making language revitalization efforts a priority for the community.

Today, Ahtna language preservation is supported through educational programs, community partnerships, and the work of dedicated language advocates. Teachers at Ya Ne Dah Ah Dats’ehwdeldiixden—the first tribally owned and operated school in Alaska focused on teaching the Ahtna language—are helping introduce new generations to their ancestral language. Community educators have been piloting Ahtna language course content with students and instructors while working toward future expansion. These efforts reflect the community’s ongoing commitment to strengthening and preserving the Ahtna language for generations to come.

Language course public access course coming soon in 2027 via local tribal government and educator partnerships with the National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NALRC),  Aanikoobijigeng (connecting generations).