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UAS Professor X’unei Lance Twitchell Nominated for Emmy Award for his work on Molly of Denali

November 18, 2022

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is proud to announce that Professor X’unei Lance Twitchell has been nominated for an Emmy award for his work on Molly of Denali. Twitchell is a writer and advisor for the animated PBS Kids program, nominated by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards, to be presented December 10. Molly of Denali is the first nationally-distributed children’s show in the United States to feature a lead character who is Alaska Native. 

Twitchell remarked, “It is such an honor to be part of an incredible team that works on Molly of Denali. At its inception, the show has involved Indigenous peoples at the creative levels, at first under the guidance of Creative Producer Princess Johnson, and then Yatibaey Evans. There are many gifted Indigenous writers in the team, and they continue to inspire my creativity.”  

Carin Silkaitis noted, “The School of Arts and Sciences is thrilled for Professor Twitchell. Here in A&S, we believe creativity is a catalyst for social and economic change and know it to be one of the most essential skills for success in today’s society. Our faculty live this ethos in and out of the classroom environment. This show is a tremendous example of using creativity to help enact social change, creating much needed visibility for Alaska Native children on national television in this beloved character.” Silkaitis is the Dean of Arts & Sciences at UAS.

X’unei Lance Twitchell, PhD, is a Professor of Alaska Native Languages, one pathway offered through UAS Alaska Native Studies. Learn more about offerings by visiting or by speaking to an advisor at 907-796-6100.