In 1987, when "Haa Shuká, Our Ancestors: Tlingit Oral Narratives" by Nora Marks Dauenhauer and
Richard Dauenhauer was first published, the future of the Tlingit language looked glum. And since language carries in its heart the lifeblood of a culture, its way to conceptualize, understand, and interpret the world, the death of a language always means the richest form of inherited knowledge of a culture dies along with it.
June 9, 2002
Sealaska's biennial gathering celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Twelve dance groups participated in the first Celebration in 1982. This weekend almost 50 dance groups from throughout Alaska, western Canada, Washington and Hawaii converged in Juneau to perform at Celebration 2002.
Three days of events wrapped up Saturday night, with closing ceremonies at Centennial Hall. Related activities continue this afternoon with canoe races and a picnic at Sandy Beach.
June 6, 2004
Toni Welch experienced an epiphany at her first Celebration in 1998.
"Coming and seeing the dancers, the pride and traditions and togetherness, I was just overwhelmed," she said. "You can be brought up totally aside from the tradition and you come to this and it reaches down so deep inside you - and it's there."
June 9, 2002
Dance groups from Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and the Lower 48 descended on Juneau this week for the music, dance and Native culture of Celebration, but the trip might not have happened for some without the help of local organizations.
June 7, 2002
Rising out of the dust of time, an ancient art received new life through an unlikely savior. After an absence of over 150 years, ravenstail weaving was resurrected by a non-Native Canadian artist and other Native and non-native contemporary weavers devoted to perpetuating its practice by spreading the word, sharing their skills and creating new regalia.
June 7, 2002
Hans Chester didn't know what he wanted to study when he began at the University of Alaska eight years ago. But in finding his way academically, the 24-year-old from Juneau has found his identity as a Tlingit.
June 7, 2002
More than 1,000 dancers in regalia crowded Willoughby Avenue at 8:30 this morning, ready for the procession to Centennial Hall to open Celebration 2002. Hugs and handshakes gave the gathering the mood of a family reunion.
June 6, 2002
Black seaweed - laak'ask - has been a valuable resource for the Native people of Southeast Alaska for thousands of years.
Alaska families have developed their own methods for drying and flavoring the nutritious wild food. Friday afternoon, it will prove to be a particularly valuable resource for three people who provide three judges with the tastiest sample of laak'ask.
June 6, 2002
One thousand years ago Natives from the Copper River migrated to the Yakutat area, bringing their dances to the people living on the coast, says Yakutat elder George Ramos.
June 4, 2004
Celebration juried art show includes traditional Native art and new interpretations of ancient forms.
Native artist Clarissa Hudson took influences from Hawaii and Jamaica, the Seminole and her own Tlingit heritage to create "Copper Woman," a regalia dance outfit that won Best of Show at the Sealaska Juried Art Show.
Celebration is a biennial festival of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian dance, song, oratory and arts held in Juneau, Alaska. Southeast Alaska Natives from all parts of Alaska and the United States return to Southeast Alaska to participate in this spectacular event which has grown to be the largest cultural gathering in the State of Alaska.
Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Alaska State Museum will host the first Juried Art Show in Juneau, June 5-September 28, 2002. The event will showcase artistic works created by members of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Tribes of Alaska. It will be a featured event of Celebration 2002, which is scheduled June 6-8.
Who puts up absolutely the best black seaweed?
Sealaska will be holding a 'Seaweed Contest' during Celebration, to determine who puts up absolutely the best black seaweed. The Grand Prize for the Seaweed King or Queen will be $500; Second Prize $250, and Third Prize $100.
