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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.
"Children no longer speak Tlingit," wrote Nora Marks Dauenhauer in the preface of the book. "Few young parents speak the
language; as far as we know, there are no speakers under the age of 30, and there are only a handful of speakers under
the age of 50."
June 9, 2002
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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 9, 2002
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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
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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.
One Tlingit group of 18 students and 14 adults from Teslin in the Yukon Territory held bottle drives and other fund-raisers to help pay for the journey to Juneau. But meals, lodging and in-town transportation provided by Juneau churches and businesses made the trip possible.
June 7, 2002
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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.
Originally practiced by the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian and Eskimo tribes of the Pacific Northwest Coast and the Gulf of Alaska, ravenstail weaving, with its black and white geometric patterns, was replaced around the mid-19th century by the colorful, curvilinear designs of Chilkat weaving. Until recently, the scant evidence of this antiquated art form scattered about the globe permitted few people knowledge of it.
June 7, 2002
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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.
Chester, who expects to complete his courses next winter for a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in anthropology, was named Outstanding Student of the Year at the University of Alaska Southeast this year.
June 7, 2002
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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.
Robert Davis from Sitka stood outside ANB Hall and eyed the crowd with a smile.
"I'm seeing friends from all over Southeast - and from out of state," he said. "Apaches, Blackfeet, and people are still coming in. There's going to be a lot of people. Three days is just not enough."
June 6, 2002
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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
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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.
This week, Ramos and the Mount St. Elias Dancers from Yakutat will bring their songs and dances to Juneau for Celebration 2002, continuing an ancient tradition of sharing culture.
June 5, 2002
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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.
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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.
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Event during Celebration to showcase native art
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.
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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.
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