Alaska Natives

Tlingit-style carvers have a place to talk shop

Tlingit-style carvers have a place to talk shop

They’ve carved out a spot.

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

High schoolers have a chance to get involved.

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 changed its name. Here’s what it is.

It’s the same Tlingit name for Mount Juneau.

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

Lingít revival.

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

It will bring in millions in revenue and 400 new hires.

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)

A shiny new business: Tribe-owned auto shop already proving popular

Word has spread quickly.

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)

The 7 stories that shaped Juneau arts and culture in 2018

2018 chaos didn’t skip the arts.

“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

Native issues, Native control.

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)

Sitka woman testifies in DC about missing, murdered Alaska Native women

Don’t forget these victims, she says.

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)

Opinion: Stand for Salmon’s defeat is the beginning of the end

Wait and see.

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)

Memorial pays respect to Tlingit burial ground

It’s meant to connect ancestors with children.

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)

Students working to add Tlingit name to Juneau-Douglas High School

It would augment, not replace, the current name.

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

Old languages need new words.

Cellphone, recess, cray cray: How Tlingit speakers are coining new words in an ancient language
Celebrate Our Ways of Life swaps speeches for conversations

Celebrate Our Ways of Life swaps speeches for conversations

Instead of a night of speeches, this year’s Celebrating Our Ways of Life embraced hands-on activities. The Alaska Native Heritage Month celebration hosted by Central… Continue reading

Celebrate Our Ways of Life swaps speeches for conversations
Photos: Celebrating Our Ways of Life

Photos: Celebrating Our Ways of Life

Scenes from the Celebrating Our Ways of Life event.

Photos: Celebrating Our Ways of Life
Bob Sam, a Tlingit storyteller who has served as caretaker of a Sitka cemetery for decades and works to repatriate and reinter indigenous people, leaves the lectern to walk into the crowd during his Evening at Egan lecture about respecting ancestors Friday, Nov. 16 at Egan Library. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Cemetery caretaker helps repatriate remains of Alaska Native children

Bob Sam lives up to his name. “My Tlingit name is Shaagunastaa,” Sam said during his Evening at Egan lecture Friday night at the University… Continue reading

Bob Sam, a Tlingit storyteller who has served as caretaker of a Sitka cemetery for decades and works to repatriate and reinter indigenous people, leaves the lectern to walk into the crowd during his Evening at Egan lecture about respecting ancestors Friday, Nov. 16 at Egan Library. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)