Alaska Natives

Language, culture take center stage at conference opening

Language, culture take center stage at conference opening

Academics, artists and indigenous people from throughout the state and Canada converged Thursday morning in Juneau.

Language, culture take center stage at conference opening
The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Tlingit flautist George Montero said he was glad to be back in Juneau for a pair of concerts Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 and Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt |Capital City Weekly)
Tlingit flautist George Montero said he was glad to be back in Juneau for a pair of concerts Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 and Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt |Capital City Weekly)
Tlingit-style carvers have a place to talk shop
Tlingit-style carvers have a place to talk shop
Teaching artists needed, mystical music group comes to town
Teaching artists needed, mystical music group comes to town
Juneau-Douglas High School pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s first-ever Tlingit language immersion preschool to open next month
Juneau’s first-ever Tlingit language immersion preschool to open next month
Native corporation lands big $6.1 billion Army contract
Native corporation lands big $6.1 billion Army contract
Lead Detailer Calvin Olsen shows the logo developed for a new auto detailing business called Sacred Shine offered by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. The logo was designed by tribal member Miciana Hutcherson. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lead Detailer Calvin Olsen shows the logo developed for a new auto detailing business called Sacred Shine offered by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. The logo was designed by tribal member Miciana Hutcherson. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Murkowski to revive bill meant to help Native American women

Murkowski to revive bill meant to help Native American women

The legislation received unanimous Senate approval, but was blocked in the House.

Murkowski to revive bill meant to help Native American women
“Doragon” by Beth Bolander, modeled by Dani Gross, at the Wearable Art Show at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Doragon placed third in the Juror’s Best in Show. It also drew criticism as cultural appropriation, which led to some guidelines for this year’s fashion show. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
“Doragon” by Beth Bolander, modeled by Dani Gross, at the Wearable Art Show at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Doragon placed third in the Juror’s Best in Show. It also drew criticism as cultural appropriation, which led to some guidelines for this year’s fashion show. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Southeast villages looking to form tribal courts
Southeast villages looking to form tribal courts
Amber Crotty from Window Rock, Ariz., left, a delegate of the Navajo Nation Council, and Patricia Alexander of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, right, exchange words of encouragement to each other before testifying as the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds a hearing to examine concerns about investigations into the deaths and disappearance of Native American women, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)
Amber Crotty from Window Rock, Ariz., left, a delegate of the Navajo Nation Council, and Patricia Alexander of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, right, exchange words of encouragement to each other before testifying as the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds a hearing to examine concerns about investigations into the deaths and disappearance of Native American women, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)
In this file photo, a king salmon lies in a net at Auke Bay. (Bjorn Dihle | For the Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, a king salmon lies in a net at Auke Bay. (Bjorn Dihle | For the Juneau Empire)
“Molly of Denali,” an animated show about an Alaska Native girl, her friends and family is expected to debut this summer. University of Alaska Southeast professor <span style="text-decoration: underline;">X</span>’unei Lance Twitchell started out as a language and culture consultant for the show but more recently has taken on a writing role. (Contributed Photo | (c) 2018 WGBH Educational Foundation)

Good golly, meet ‘Molly of Denali’

The show involves Alaska Native characters, voice actors and writers.

“Molly of Denali,” an animated show about an Alaska Native girl, her friends and family is expected to debut this summer. University of Alaska Southeast professor <span style="text-decoration: underline;">X</span>’unei Lance Twitchell started out as a language and culture consultant for the show but more recently has taken on a writing role. (Contributed Photo | (c) 2018 WGBH Educational Foundation)
Student research movie digs into Alaska’s colonized names

Student research movie digs into Alaska’s colonized names

Sayéik is a Tlingit word that can be translated to mean voice of a spirit helper. Historically the name is associated with Douglas Island, and… Continue reading

Student research movie digs into Alaska’s colonized names
Tlingit elder Paul Marks presents the Sayéik Sacred Site Memorial on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. The memorial, placed at Sayéik Gastineau Community School, is a tribute to the people who were buried in the Tlingit burial ground that was paved over for the road and school. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Tlingit elder Paul Marks presents the Sayéik Sacred Site Memorial on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. The memorial, placed at Sayéik Gastineau Community School, is a tribute to the people who were buried in the Tlingit burial ground that was paved over for the road and school. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Lecture questions Western names for Native places
Video

Lecture questions Western names for Native places

Names given by Alaska Natives to people and places are far from arbitrary.

Lecture questions Western names for Native places
Video
Senior Arias Hoyle is one of a number of Juneau-Douglas High School students looking to add “Yadaa.at Kalé,” the Tlingit name for Mount Juneau, to the high school’s name. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Senior Arias Hoyle is one of a number of Juneau-Douglas High School students looking to add “Yadaa.at Kalé,” the Tlingit name for Mount Juneau, to the high school’s name. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Cellphone, recess, cray cray: How Tlingit speakers are coining new words in an ancient language
Cellphone, recess, cray cray: How Tlingit speakers are coining new words in an ancient language