Áakʼw Ḵwáan spokesperson Fran Houston addresses a crowd of people during a blessing ceremony on Friday at Marine Park as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Áakʼw Ḵwáan spokesperson Fran Houston addresses a crowd of people during a blessing ceremony on Friday at Marine Park as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: Blessing held at grounds of Kootéeyaa Deiyí

Ceremony held at future site of Totem Pole Trail.

Áakʼw Ḵwáan spokesperson Fran Houston addresses a crowd of people during a blessing ceremony on Friday at Marine Park as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Nancy Barnes leads Tinglit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples in song and dance on Friday at Marine Park at the site where the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) along the downtown Juneau waterfront will be installed by April 22. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Áakʼw Ḵwáan spokesperson Fran Houston addresses a crowd of people during a blessing ceremony on Friday at Marine Park as part of the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Nancy Barnes of the Chugach Villages leads people gathered at Marine Park on Friday through songs and prayers as part of the blessing ceremony for the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Haida artist Delores Churchill speaks at the blessing ceremony held on Friday at Marine Park to celebrate the totem poles that will comprise part of Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Alfie Price performs a traditional blessing of the ground on Friday at Marine Park where the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) will be installed by the end of April. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Ceremony held at future site of Totem Pole Trail.

Nancy Barnes of the Chugach Villages leads people gathered at Marine Park on Friday through songs and prayers as part of the blessing ceremony for the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Nancy Barnes of the Chugach Villages leads people gathered at Marine Park on Friday through songs and prayers as part of the blessing ceremony for the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) that will run along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Haida artist Delores Churchill speaks at the blessing ceremony held on Friday at Marine Park to celebrate the totem poles that will comprise part of Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Haida artist Delores Churchill speaks at the blessing ceremony held on Friday at Marine Park to celebrate the totem poles that will comprise part of Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) along the downtown Juneau waterfront. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Alfie Price performs a traditional blessing of the ground on Friday at Marine Park where the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) will be installed by the end of April. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Alfie Price performs a traditional blessing of the ground on Friday at Marine Park where the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) will be installed by the end of April. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Nancy Barnes leads Tinglit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples in song and dance on Friday at Marine Park at the site where the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) along the downtown Juneau waterfront will be installed by April 22. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Nancy Barnes leads Tinglit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples in song and dance on Friday at Marine Park at the site where the Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) along the downtown Juneau waterfront will be installed by April 22. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

More in Neighbors

Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)
Coming Out: Partial Reflections

Let your verses be an adventure Scattering on the morning wind the… Continue reading

Jacque Tagaban (left) and Adam Bauer (right) smile for a photo at the Alaska Bahá’í National Convention in late May. (Courtesy Photo / Adam Bauer)
Living & Growing: Justice proceeds from unity which comes through consultation

Before I proceed, I wish to thank Áak’w Kwáan and T’aaku Kwáan… Continue reading

Jane Hale
Coming Out: Ch- ch- ch- ch- changes

It’s always a gamble, a risk, a chance. We should be stuttering.

This combination images includes a picture of Larry chopping ice for water in Brevig Mission 1972, a picture of Mark and Laura watching seal skin preparation 1972. A picture at Fish Camp in 1972. (Courtesy Photos / Laura Rorem)
Living & Growing: Beyond what we know

“You stupid white people, you have no business trying to come ashore… Continue reading

Courtesy Photo /  Gina Del Rosari
Living & Growing: To Jesus through Mary

I am a Roman Catholic, was born and raised in the Philippines… Continue reading

t
Gimme a Smile: AI is coming—oh wait, it’s already here

AI is on everyone’s radar these days. Artificial Intelligence — it can… Continue reading

By 1914 when this photo was taken, Juneau had developed into an established city. The Victorian era turreted Alaska Steam Laundry (built 1901) is seen on the left, while other buildings such as the Alaskan Hotel and Central Rooming House are on the right. The rooming house was reconstructed in the 1980s. It is now the Senate Mall. (Alaska State Library-P31-021).
Rooted in Community: Alaska Steam Laundry and the MacKinnon Family

Perhaps sharing the leading roles in Juneau High School’s 1915 theatrical play… Continue reading

Thx
Thank you letter or the week of May 14

“Thank you Alaska Federation of Natives for a legacy of leadership”

Klas Stolpe
Pure Sole: A remembrance of my mother

The aroma of lupine lingered in the air at my mother’s deathbed.