Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about CEC and our programs.

About Calista Education & Culture

About CEC

  • Calista Education & Culture (CEC) is an Alaska Native led 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity (Tax ID: 92-0088631) dedicated to supporting education and preserving and strengthening the culture, language, and traditions of the Calista Region. While CEC is very generously supported by Calista Corporation and works closely with its departments, we are a separate, independent entity with a unique board and separate governance structure.

  • CEC serves Calista Shareholders and Descendants by leading and supporting cultural and educational initiatives that for the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, and by celebrating and promoting Yuuyaraq, our traditional Way of Being, with the world.

  • Eligibility varies by program. Some CEC programs and services are specifically for eligible Calista Shareholders and Descendants, while others serve communities, schools, and the broader region.

  • Contact CEC at ceci@calistacorp.com or (907) 565-6043. Additional contact information is available on the CEC website.

  • Visit the CEC website for current applications, program deadlines, events, and announcements. CEC also shares current information through its social media channels.

Scholarships

See Scholarships

  • Applicants must be a Calista Corporation Voting Shareholder or Descendant of an Original Shareholder, be Alaska Native, and be enrolled in an accredited school or program.

  • CEC offers Academic Scholarships for college and university students and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarships for vocational, technical, and career training.

  • Academic Scholarships support college and university education. CTE Scholarships support eligible vocational, technical, certification, and career training programs.

  • Eligible, complete applications are reviewed according to CEC Scholarship requirements and available funding.

  • Yes. Completed applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and awards are subject to available funding.

  • No. Each approved applicant may receive one CEC scholarship per award year.

  • Scholarship award amounts are based on the type of scholarship, enrollment status, and available funding. Award amounts may vary from year to year.

  • CEC offers scholarship application periods throughout the year. Current application dates and deadlines are available on the CEC Scholarships webpage. www.calistaeducation.org

  • Applications are submitted through the CEC Scholarship Application Portal, available on the CEC Scholarships webpage.

  • Required documents include proof of Alaska Native status, proof of Calista Shareholder or Descendant status, proof of acceptance or application to an accredited school or program, and other applicable scholarship documents. Academic applicants must also provide a current transcript.

  • Your application submitted via the online application portal and must include all required information and documentation to be considered complete. Applicants are encouraged to submit all required materials as early as possible.

  •  Applicants must attend an accredited college, university, or other eligible postsecondary program.

  • Yes. Scholarship applicants must be enrolled in an accredited school or program.

  • Academic Scholarship applicants must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. GPA requirements do not apply to CTE applicants.

  • Yes. Eligible undergraduate and graduate students may apply for an Academic Scholarship.

  • Yes. Eligible part-time undergraduate and graduate students may receive an Academic Scholarship.

  • CTE includes eligible vocational, technical, certification, and career training programs designed to prepare students for employment in a specific trade, occupation, or skilled field.

  • No. CTE Scholarship applicants are not required to have a high school diploma or GED.

  • CTE applicants must be enrolled in an eligible degree-seeking or certification program. Contact CEC if you are unsure whether your program qualifies.

  • CEC Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, and eligible educational fees.

  • Processing times may vary. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit a complete application with all required documentation.

  • Applicants selected to receive a CEC Scholarship will be notified by CEC via email.

  • Scholarship funds are sent directly to the recipient's school financial aid office.

  • No. CEC does not make scholarship payments directly to students. Scholarship funds are paid toward eligible educational expenses, as defined by IRS guidelines, through the educational institution or other approved provider.

  • Scholarship recipients must notify CEC of changes to their academic status. Unused scholarship funds may need to be returned, and future scholarship eligibility may be affected.

  • Contact the CEC Scholarship Team at scholarships@calistacorp.com or (907) 565-6043.

Burial Assistance

Burial Assistance

  • CEC's Burial Assistance Program provides financial assistance for eligible funeral and related expenses following the death of a Calista Voting Shareholder or Descendant of an Original Shareholder.

  • An immediate family member or spouse of a deceased Calista Voting Shareholder or Descendant of an Original Shareholder may apply.

  • For this program, immediate family includes the deceased's mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter. A spouse may also apply.

  • Contact CEC before applying. These circumstances may be considered individually and require additional documentation.

  • Burial Assistance may provide up to $1,000 for an eligible deceased Shareholder or Descendant, subject to available funding.

  • Assistance may be used toward eligible funeral, transportation, and other funeral-related expenses.

  • Yes. Eligible expenses may include transportation of the deceased to their final resting place and transportation for eligible immediate family members or a spouse to attend funeral services.

  • Applicants must submit a completed Burial Assistance Application and proof of death. A funeral home invoice is also required when requesting payment directly to the funeral home.

  • Proof of death may include a death certificate or a letter from a medical facility, funeral home, or Tribal office that includes the deceased's name and date of death.

  • A letter from a medical facility, funeral home, or Tribal office confirming the deceased's name and date of death may be submitted instead.

  • Yes. The completed application and required documentation must be submitted within 60 days of the date of death.

  • Approved assistance may be paid directly to the funeral home or to the eligible applicant, depending on the request and documentation provided.

  • Processing times may vary, however we try to process as quickly as possible.

  • No. Burial Assistance is subject to eligibility, application approval, and available funding.

  • The application is available on the CEC Burial Assistance webpage.

  • Completed applications may be submitted to CEC by email, fax, or mail. Current submission information is available on the Burial Assistance webpage.

  • Contact CEC at ceci@calistacorp.com or (907) 565-6043 for assistance.

Cultural Programs

Explore Cultural Programs

  • CEC offers cultural programs and initiatives focused on preserving and strengthening Yup’ik language, culture, traditional knowledge, and Yuuyaraq. Programs include Living Yuuyaraq, Ciutmuarluni, cultural publications and media, curriculum development, cultural documentation, and other cultural learning initiatives.

  • Participation varies by program. CEC cultural programs may serve Shareholders and Descendants, youth, Elders, educators, communities, and others throughout the Calista Region.

  • Yes. CEC works with schools, communities, Tribal organizations, and other partners to support cultural learning and preservation throughout the Calista Region.

  • CEC offers cultural and educational resources that can support classroom learning. Availability and appropriate use vary by resource.

  • Elders and cultural knowledge bearers are central to CEC's cultural work. Their knowledge and guidance inform cultural programs, publications, curriculum, documentation, and other initiatives that help preserve and pass traditional knowledge to future generations.

  • Yes. Yugtun is incorporated into many CEC cultural programs, publications, and educational resources as part of CEC's work to preserve and strengthen the language.

  • Visit the CEC website and follow CEC's social media channels for current cultural programs, events, and opportunities.

  • CEC has historically hosted and supported Culture Camps and other cultural learning opportunities. Due to current funding limitations, CEC is providing alternative opportunities for cultural learning.

  • Cultural opportunities are announced through the CEC website, social media channels, and other community outreach.

Culture Camps

Yup'ik Atlas

Explore Yupik Atlas

  • The Yup'ik Atlas is a collaborative cultural documentation project that preserves and shares Yup'ik traditional knowledge, including place names, stories, language, and knowledge of the land and environment.

  • The Yup'ik Atlas was developed through a collaboration between Calista Education & Culture and ELOKA (Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic), working with Yup'ik Elders and community members. The project has received support from the National Science Foundation and other partners.

  • The knowledge comes from Yup'ik Elders and community members who have shared traditional place names, stories, language, and knowledge of the land. Elders are the foundation of the project and its cultural documentation.

  • The Atlas includes traditional place names and information about communities, travel, subsistence, history, language, the environment, and Yup'ik relationships with the land and waters of the region.

  •  Traditional place names carry generations of knowledge about the land, language, history, travel, subsistence, and Yup'ik identity. Documenting them helps preserve this knowledge for future generations.

  • More than 3,000 traditional place names have been shared through the place-name projects represented in the Yup'ik Atlas.

  • Yes. The Yup'ik Atlas is available online at yupikatlas.org.

  • Yes. The Atlas was developed in part to make this knowledge accessible to young people and can serve as a resource for learning about Yup'ik language, place names, history, culture, and relationships with the land.

  •  Yes. Yugtun is central to the Atlas. Traditional place names and knowledge are shared in Yugtun and English, helping preserve both the language and the cultural meaning carried within it.

  • The Yup'ik Atlas and related cultural documentation work have received funding from the National Science Foundation, along with support from project partners and other organizations.

  • Visit yupikatlas.org to explore the interactive Atlas and learn more about the project.

Books & Publications

Explore Books & Publications

  • Proceeds from CEC book sales are reinvested into CEC's cultural programming. CEC does not profit from cultural knowledge; book sales help support the continued preservation, documentation, and sharing of our language, culture, and traditional knowledge.

  • CEC publishes books that preserve and share Yup’ik knowledge, language, oral histories, subsistence practices, place names, stories, and Yuuyaraq—our traditional Way of Being.

  • Visit the Books page on the CEC website to browse available titles and learn more about each publication.

  • Yes. Most CEC books are available for purchase online, and limited copies may also be available at the CEC office.

  • Availability varies by publication. Contact CEC for information about specific titles or available resources.

  • Visit the Books page on the CEC website and select the title you are interested in for purchasing information.

  • Contact CEC to inquire about availability and options for larger orders.

  •  CEC may provide books for educational, cultural, or community purposes based on availability. Contact CEC to discuss your request.

  • Formats vary by publication. Visit the CEC website or contact CEC to learn what formats are available for a specific title.

  • Yes. Several CEC publications include Yugtun and English, helping preserve the language, cultural context, and meaning of the original teachings.

  • Yes. CEC publications can be valuable resources for learning about Yup’ik language, culture, history, and Yuuyaraq. Educators should follow applicable copyright and use requirements.

  • CEC publications are protected by applicable copyright. Contact CEC before reproducing or republishing CEC-owned material.

  • Contact CEC with information about the material you would like to use and how it will be used. CEC can help determine whether permission is required.

CEC Golf Classic Fundraiser

Golf Classic

  • The CEC Golf Classic is an annual fundraising event that supports CEC programs and scholarships benefiting Calista Shareholders and Descendants across the Calista Region.

  •  Registration information is available on the CEC Golf Classic webpage.

  • Yes. CEC offers opportunities for businesses, organizations, and individuals to sponsor and support the annual Golf Classic.

  • Visit the CEC Golf Classic webpage for current sponsorship opportunities and registration information.

  • Yes. You do not have to play in the tournament to support the CEC Golf Classic. Sponsorship and other giving opportunities are available.

  • Proceeds support CEC programs and scholarships benefiting Calista Shareholders and Descendants across the Calista Region.

  • CEC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.