American Russian Orthodox missionary (1947–2023)
Fr. Michael Oleksa |
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 Oleksa speaking at a conference in 2014 |
| Born | (1947-03-16)March 16, 1947
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| Died | November 29, 2023(2023-11-29) (aged 76)
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| Occupation(s) | Russian Orthodox missionary, linguist |
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| Known for | Linguistical work throughout rural Alaska |
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| Spouse | Xenia Oleksa |
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| Children | Four |
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Michael James Oleksa (March 16, 1947 – November 29, 2023) was an American missionary priest of the Orthodox Church in America, who spent 50 years traveling, speaking and writing about culture and race in Alaska.
Life
Michael James Oleksa was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on March 16, 1947. In 1970, after studying at St. Vladimir's Seminary in New York, he moved to Alaska, accepting an invitation from the Alutiiq village of Old Harbor on Kodiak Island.[1] His experiences while there motivated him to continue speaking in Alaska, and did multiple presentations over the next three decades, while also serving as a Russian Orthodox priest in these relatively small communities.[2] In 1972, he moved to Kwethluk, where he met his wife and continued his work as a missionary priest in various small communities along the Kuskokwim River.[1]
In 1988, Oleksa graduated with his doctoral degree from the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Presov, Slovakia. He made a point to graduate with an emphasis on Native Alaskan history during the Alaskan Russian period, which occurred from 1741 to 1867.[3] He then continued to speak to at least twelve separate villages across Alaska on the issue of race and culture in education. After this, he lived in Anchorage, Alaska, with his wife, his daughter, and one of his three grandsons.
Oleksa suffered a stroke and died during the early hours of November 29, 2023, in Anchorage, at the age of 76.[1]
Career
Oleksa was versed in the fields of history, theology and linguistics and wrote books, articles, and publications focusing on multiple Alaska Native cultures.[2] He created a four-part video series, which aired on PBS, called "Communicating Across Cultures".[4] His influential work made its way into some of JSD's (Juneau School District) senior high curriculum, and all three of the UA (University of Alaska) campuses.[2] He is also a dedicated public speaker, and has travelled through multiple Alaskan villages speaking about various linguistic topics of interest. Michael Oleksa has accumulated a host of titles along his travels, proving his authenticity as a missionary, and a linguist. He is recognized as an "Elder" by the Alaska Federation of Natives, has been honored by the Alaska State Legislature and the National Governors Association, and is acknowledged as a "distinguished public servant" by the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska.[2]
Oleksa was educating teachers across Alaska on the importance of cross-cultural education and the boundaries of race and culture. The most prominent of his texts that focus on this topic is his collaboration with the Association of Alaska School Boards, which explores the unique cultural fabric of Alaska's educational environment.[5] His most recent work available to the public is from 2006.[5] Prior to his death, he initiated the process to have Olga Michael recognized as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.[1]
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