“It is important for kids to know how the information they’re learning fits into their lives. There are many ways to learn, not just out of a book. For instance, the science of boating involves knowing the tides, weather patterns, and so much more.”

Mrs. Littlefield has the following preferences:

Schools: All SSD schools; she is particularly interested in being involved with Tlingit language acquisition at the elementary schools (strong preference for Baranof).  

Days: Roby is currently employed by Sitka Tribe of Alaska. She has a flexible schedule to the point that she could volunteer a few hours per week to help a teacher in the classroom. She is willing to make weekly trips into the classroom.

Times: Mornings work best for her.

Areas of Activity

Roby prefers to enter into the classrooms to help out in the following areas:

Curriculum Development: As a teacher, Roby understands it is not easy to incorporate  

Storytelling: Roby loves to tell traditional legends. She feels that stories of long ago carry a message for children, whether it is about respect, discipline, or humor, she likes to share that with others. Her favorite story is how the Killer whale came to be. While she does share openly, she always gives credit to the clan that the story came from.

Field Trips: Roby has extensive knowledge when it comes to subsisting off the land. She would be willing to help out with sea week and/or museum visits.

Regalia/Food Demonstrations: Roby learned to make all of her regalia from Esther Littlefield. Roby credits her as being a very patient teacher. Not only can she make regalia, she also knows how to twine cedar, construct drums, and drumsticks.

Role in the Classroom

Cultural Instructor: Roby is very interested in learning the Tlingit language. She is and has been a student of the language for many years. Her expertise has led her in many directions. She taught classes through UAS, BMS, SNEP, as well as in the community. She is very involved in the Alaska Native community and has close connections to many elders.  
Mentor: Roby is open to the idea of mentoring a student for educational purposes. She is very involved in the Tlingit culture and would like to assist a student in the research process, whether it is studying the language or other culturally relevant subject matter.
Assistant to the Teacher: Roby is willing to help teachers “gain confidence” when navigating unfamiliar subjects (Alaska Native culture).
Prior Experience: Roby is a certified teacher. She is currently employed part-time at Blatchley Middle School as a Tlingit language instructor (M-F 12:30 p.m.—2 p.m.). She often utilizes elders in her classroom and thus feels confident assisting teachers in incorporating place-based and/or inter-generational learning into their curriculum. She feels strongly that no matter the subject a teach can find ways to incorporate cultural or local knowledge.  

Cultural Expertise

Tlingit Language: Roby has studied linguistics and cutting edge language acquisition technique. In the classroom she uses total physical response (TPR), storytelling, games, classroom management commands, conversation, and thematic lessons to teach Tlingit language. Many fluent spears have taught her and she is anxious to give that knowledge to the next generation.  

Artist: Roby is an artist that puts a twist on traditional Tlingit artwork. She is responsible for the creation of STA’s Tannery logo.

Kinship: Roby has participated in many traditional ceremonies. She can explain kinship, traditions, taboos and cultural events in a sensitive, insightful way. She can explain some of the ways that modern traditions have evolved to meet the ceremonial needs of the 21st century. She has a collection of pictures and video she made over the last 25 years during cultural events that she is willing to share.

Tlingit Values: Roby has constructed a list of traditional Tlingit values. It is a collection that was put together while sitting around the camp fire at Dog Point fish camp. As the Elders in her program would pass on Tlingit values to students, she wrote them down to create a cumulative list. When asked how they compare to Dr. Walter Soboleff’s list of Tlingit value, she said they are similar but hers has more examples.

Tlingit Dance Groups: Roby is in the following Native dance groups: Noow Tlein Dancers, Kaagwaantaan Dancers, and Naa Kahidi Dancers.

Education and Life Experience

Education:

Roby was born and raised around the Fairbanks area. She attended K-12 in Fairbanks and is a graduate of Lathrop High School. She is six credits shy of a Bachelor’s Degree through UAS. She really enjoyed her experiences with formal education. She considers herself a “partial speaker” of the Tlingit language, with that said, she has participated in a number of training centered around the language (e.g. Sealaska, UAS, etc.).

Work Experience:

Roby has operated Dog Point fish camp for over 20 years. A non-profit educational program, all students from Sitka are welcome to attend. In the summer months she holds 3-4 culture camps; in the last five years she has put on 4 immersion camps.

Currently she is employed through SSD and STA. She works part time at the SSD as a language teacher. As a full time employee of the Tribe, Roby is currently working on archiving Tlingit recording that were recorded through the Sitka Native Education Program. 

A Brief Biography

Roby was raised on 20 acres of homesteaded property outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. She married John Littlefield (Nas.aax) and settled down in Sitka, Alaska. Together they raised four children. Her youngest, Kassandra, graduate from Sitka High School in May 2007.

Roby was adopted into the Kaagwaantaan clan. Since then, she has been given three Tlingit names (Koolyeik, Daaxkeix, Tlakw Shagoon).

Roby is very active in the community. She served on the SNEP parent committee for a total of 12 years. She is currently on the board for N.A.T.I.V.E (North American Traditional Indian Values Enrichment) program.