EDUCATION RESOURCES

The institute encourages students and teachers to use its online resources.

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Sealaska Heritage Institute produces curriculum and other education tools through its Education Programs. More language tools can be found on the language resources page. SHI's formline design kit and other tools to learn Northwest Coast Art can be found on the art resources page.

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Indigenous book selection: SHI developed an Indigenous Book Selection Checklist to help educators choose texts that are culturally responsive and appropriate. We encourage educators to use this resource.  

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Tlingit Oral Literature Series

(Print Book Catalog)

Haa Shuka, Our Ancestors: Tlingit Oral Narratives, Vol. 1: Eleven classic stories by 13 elders. Includes Naatsilanei (the origin of the killer whale), The Strong Man, The Woman Who Married the Bear, Kaats' (The Man Who Married the Bear), and two stories about the coming of the white man. Features Tlingit texts with facing English translations. Edited by Nora Marks Dauenhauer and Richard Dauenhauer (left). Vol. 1, Classics of Tlingit Oral Literature, University of Washington Press, 1987, 532 pp., illustrations, notes, biographies, bibliography. "With texts and a thorough introduction to their format, oral style, and cultural context, a lengthy explanation of  Tlingit phonetics and grammar, extensive historical and linguistic notes, and brief biographies... Haa Shuká is simultaneously a work of literature, a contribution to scholarship, and an act of homage to the Tlingit elders who contributed to the project for the sake of their descendants."  $38. Paperback. ( Buy)

Haa Tuwunáagu Yís, for Healing Our Spirit, Vol. 2: Have you ever wondered what's going on at a memorial, sometimes called "potlatch" or "party?" Haa Tuwunáagu Yís, for Healing our Spirit is a study of the process and performance of a memorial. Haa Tuwunáagu Yís is the first publication of Tlingit oratory recorded in performance. It features Tlingit texts with facing English translations and detailed annotations, photographs of the orators and the settings in which the speeches are delivered, biographies of the Elders, and a glossary. There are 32 speeches by 21 Tlingit Elders. Most were taped between 1968 and 1988, but two speeches were recorded on wax cylinders by the Harriman Expedition in Sitka in 1899, and are the oldest known sound recordings of Tlingit. Edited by Nora Marks Dauenhauer and Richard Dauenhauer (left). Vol. 2, Classics of Tlingit Oral Literature, University of Washington Press, 1990, 526 pp., illustrations, bibliography. Winner of the 1991 American Book Award! $32. Paperback. (Buy)

Haa Kusteeyí, Our Culture: Tlingit Life Stories, Vol. 3: An introduction to Tlingit social and political history. The book features the biographies and life histories of more than 50 men and women, most born between 1880 and 1910, and includes a special section on the founders of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB). The lives depicted in this volume show how individual Native people both shaped and were shaped by their time and place in history. To the fullest extent possible, oral and written material from the subjects and their families has been incorporated, so the book includes written research contributions by more than 20 people, and additional information from many friends and relatives. The appendices feature Tlingit texts with facing English translations, and previously unpublished documents, including material from the National Archives and the minutes from the historically important 1929 Haines ANB Convention, when ANB decided to pursue a land claims settlement, adopted the ANB and ANS koogéinaa and established the Executive Committee in the ANB Constitution. Edited by Nora Marks Dauenhauer and Richard Dauenhauer (left). Classics of Tlingit Oral Literature, vol. 3, (University of Washington Press, 1994), 924 pp., 204 photographs, bibliography. $35. Paperback. ( Buy)

Anóoshi Lingít Aaní Ká: Russians in Tlingit America, The Battles of Sitka 1802 and 1804: A major book on historic battles between the Russians and Tlingits in the early 19th century. This is the 4th volume in the award-winning series, Classics of Tlingit Oral Literature, edited by Nora Marks Dauenhauer, Richard Dauenhauer. The book explores an era from the 1790s through 1818 when Russians expanded into Southeast Alaska to take control of the Northwest Coast fur trade. The Tlingit people resisted the incursion into their ancestral homeland and events culminated in two historic battles between the Russians and Tlingits in 1802 and 1804. At the heart of the book are never-before published recordings by the National Park Service of Tlingit elders telling oral histories of the battles. The recordings were made in the 1950s by Kiks.ádi elder Sally Hopkins and Kaagwaantaan elder Alex Andrews, who was a child of the Kiks.ádi. The book was conceived in the 1980s when Kiks.ádi elders asked the Dauenhauers to transcribe, translate, and publish the tapes, and the Sealaska Heritage Board approved the project. The Dauenhauers were able to compare the recordings to eye-witness accounts by Russians translated into English by Lydia Black, a scholar who worked on the book until her death in 2007. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute in association with the University of Washington Press. Winner of the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation. $60, Hardcover. $35, Paperback. ( Buy)  

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Language Books and Materials

(Print Book Catalog)

Dictionary of Tlingit: Sealaska Heritage Institute's Dictionary of Tlingit is the product of years of documentation of the Tlingit language with assistance from fluent Elders. It's a must-have resource for language learners and for people who are interested in learning more about the Tlingit culture. The Dictionary of Tlingit is the first to include nouns and verbs and all the minor word categories such as adjectives, adverbs, and interjections in a single resource. The vast majority of the verb forms have never before been documented or published. It also includes example sentences for most of the entries, which illustrates the words in a context. Compiled by linguist Keri Edwards with assistance from Anita Lafferty, John Marks, June Pegues, Helen Sarabia, Bessie Cooley, David Katzeek, and Fred White. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute, 2010. $25. Paperback. (Buy) (Free .pdf Version)

Beginning Tlingit: First published in 1976, Beginning Tlingit remains the major text in the field, combining a systematic introduction to Tlingit grammar with phrases and conversations for everyday use. Moving from the easiest and advancing to more complex, the book teaches students how to make new sentences of their own. The 2018 edition includes a link to online audio so students can hear how the language sounds, and follow along with the lessons. Contents include prefaces to all editions, Book One: Teacher and Student Guide, and Book Two, which consists of an introduction and nine lessons. Appendices include Tlingit verb charts, song texts, and a checklist in traditional Tlingit education. By Nora Marks Dauenhauer and Richard Dauenhauer. $40. Paperback. (Audio) (Buy)

Beginning Tlingit Workbook: Sealaska Heritage Institute's Beginning Tlingit Workbook teaches Tlingit words and concepts through imagery. The volume was written and compiled by Lance (̱X’unei) A. Twitchell, a member of Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Southeast Regional Language Committee and assistant professor of Alaska Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). It is an extension of the landmark book Beginning Tlingit—which was edited by the late linguist Richard Dauenhauer and his wife, Nora Dauenhauer, a fluent Tlingit speaker and scholar, and published by SHI. The workbook is based entirely on the teaching methods and steps developed by the Dauenhauers, as well as many other contributors over the years, but it also incorporates some of the ways people today are documenting and teaching various parts of Tlingit grammar, especially verbs. $32. (Buy) (Free .pdf)

Lingít X’éináx Sá! Say it in Tlingit--A Tlingit Phrase Book: You, too, can become a Tlingit speaker! Lingít X’éináx Sá! is your practical companion in making the language a living part of your life. Browse through this phrase book and identify situations in which you could use a Tlingit phrase with someone else in a meaningful context. People have been learning this beautiful language for thousands of years; and you can, as well, if you start using one or two new phrases each day and make it a practice to do so with other Tlingit language enthusiasts. Tlingit is an American Indian language of Southeast Alaska and adjacent portions of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. It is classified linguistically as part of the Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit language family because it shows clear similarities in grammatical structure to the Eyak and Athabaskan languages. These Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit languages are unique, carrying to exquisite heights an attention to the detail of the form of an object when determining how to use an accompanying verb. The Tlingit language itself is unique in four sounds that seem to be found in no other language on our planet. With a multitude of carefully selected sentences for your analysis, this book gives students of linguistics an invaluable corpus of data. Practice locating and identifying the morphemes within Tlingit words, and the underlying logic of the language will open to you. By Nora Marks Dauenhauer and Richard Dauenhauer. $20. Paperback. ( Buy)

Lingít X’éináx Áx! Hear it in Tlingit--A Tlingit Mini Phrasebook and CD: This material was adapted from Lingít X’éináx Sá! Say it in Tlingit, which was published by SHI in 2002. However, the CD offers new phrases and topic areas and allows users to hear the words. The mini phrasebook fits into the CD case, which holds two discs with audio covering 17 subject areas, including topics such as introductions, colors and greetings. Each track includes several phrases, which are printed in the mini phrasebook and recorded on the CD in Tlingit and English. The booklet was edited by SHI Linguist Keri Edwards and Tlingit speaker John Marks, who also narrated the Tlingit phrases on the CD, and Richard Dauenhauer and Nora Marks Dauenhauer, authors of Lingít X’éináx Sá! Say it in Tlingit. Tlingit is an American Indian language of Southeast Alaska and adjacent portions of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. It is classified linguistically as part of the Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit language family because it shows clear similarities in grammatical structure to the Eyak and Athabaskan languages. These Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit languages are unique, carrying to exquisite heights an attention to the detail of the form of an object when determining how to use an accompanying verb. The Tlingit language itself is unique in four sounds that seem to be found in no other language on our planet. $20. Paperback & CD.

Sneaky Sounds--A Non Threatening Introduction to Tlingit Sounds and Spelling: This book takes a humorous approach to teaching tricky sounds; the book’s second subtitle is Fun with Phonology, Fonology with Phun. Tlingit is famous for having one of the most difficult and complex sound systems in the world. Tlingit presents about two dozen sounds not shared with English. Four of these sounds are unique to Tlingit – not shared with any other language on Earth (as far as linguists know). This complexity can prove discouraging for beginners and presents a major barrier to learning. The idea behind the book is to introduce students to the sounds of the language in as non-threatening a manner as possible. The book also will help fluent speakers learn to write Tlingit. The language historically was not written and the orthography used today was developed by linguists in the late 20th century.  Consequently, many Elders fluent in Tlingit do not know the writing system. By listening to the online audio and following along with the text, fluent speakers will be able to learn which symbols correspond to which sounds. The book was written by Richard and Nora Marks Dauenhauer. The audio, produced by Edwards and Albert McDonnell, was recorded by fluent speakers John Marks and June Pegues. The project was six years in the making and received support from SHI, the Juneau School District and the University of Alaska Southeast. The materials were vetted by numerous language students, auditors and community Elders. $20. Paperback. (Audio) ( Buy)

Let's Learn Tlingit (Tlingit Alphabet Flash Cards and Audio CD): The Tlingit alphabet contains twenty-four more characters than the English alphabet and includes four sounds not found in any other language in the world. These original art cards are designed to provide a fun way for young people to become familiar with the Tlingit language alphabet. The cards can be used as flash cards or in regular card games such as Go Fish orRummy. This project was sponsored by Sealaska Heritage Institute as part of its mission to perpetuate Native languages. Funding for the preparation and distribution was provided by the Alaska Humanities Forum. Art by Crystal Worl. Audio by Marsha Hotch and Ralph Wolfe. Tlingit words edited by Linda Belarde and Katrina Hotch and reviewed by traditional scholar Dr. Walter Soboleff. Design by Kathy Dye. (Also available as an online interactive tool, which uses the same images featured in the cards)

Dictionary of Alaskan Haida: Sealaska Heritage Institute's Dictionary of Alaskan Haida is the product of years of documentation of the Haida language with assistance from fluent Elders. It's a must-have resource for language learners and for people who are interested in learning more about the Haida culture. The Dictionary of Alaskan Haida is the most comprehensive dictionary for the Alaskan dialect of Haida, with over 5500 entries. It contains several thousand example sentences gathered from the last remaining fluent speakers in Alaska. Compiled by linguist Dr. Jordan Lachler with assistance from Dr. Erma Lawrence, Claude Morrison, the late Woodrow Morrison and the late Anna Peele. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute, 2010. Funded through a grant from the Administration for Native Americans. Cover art by Robert Davis Hoffmann. $25. Paperback. (Buy) (Free .pdf Version)

Alaskan Haida Phrasebook: The Alaskan Haida Phrasebook is the first book of its kind and the most comprehensive phrasebook to date for any Alaska Native language. It will be a great aid to new learners. The Alaskan Haida Phrasebook was compiled over a four-year period as part of SHI's ongoing Haida language project. The more than 4,000 sentences in this book cover some of the most common topics of Haida conversation, such as food, family, weather, health, traveling, fishing, working, music, and many others. It was written by Dr. Erma Lawrence, one of the few remaining fluent speakers of Alaskan Haida, and edited by linguist Dr. Jordan Lachler. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute, 2010. Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and support from Sealaska Corporation. Cover graphic based on excerpt of Half a Soul serigraph by Robert Davidson. $15. Paperback. ( Buy) (Free .pdf Version)

Aan Aduspelled X'úx': -Tlingit Spelling Book. This book is for learning to pronounce and spell Tlingit. It is designed for: (1) Tlingit speakers who want to learn to spell; (2) students taking a course in spoken Tlingit; and (3) adults learning Tlingit through self-study. This book can help teach children to spell Tlingit, but should not be used to teach them to speak Tlingit. The Tlingit Spelling Book complements Beginning Tlingit, and is recommended as an accompaniment. By Nora Marks Dauenhauer and Richard Dauenhauer. 4th Edition, Sealaska Heritage Institute, 1999, 52 pp. $26. Paperback. (Buy) (Audio)

  

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Children's Books (Baby Raven Reads)

(Print Book Catalog)

Celebration! brings readers into the life of a child attending Celebration, SHI's biennial dance-and-culture festival of Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures. The story begins with a trip to Juneau on a ferry and culminates with her dance performance at Centennial Hall, before she attends some of Celebration's associated events, including the Toddler Regalia Review, the Native Art Market, and the Indigenous Fashion Show. The original story was written by Wooshkindein Da.áat Lily Hope, who is Raven of the T'akdeintaan clan. It was illustrated by Jaax̱snée Kelsy Mata Foote. (Buy)

Nang Jáadaa S̱áana 'Láanaa aa Isdá (The Woman Carried Away By Killer Whales) is SHI's first-ever children's book published entirely in X̱aad Kíl, the Haida language.  When a woman is carried off by killer whales, her husband embarks on a journey to get her back. Aided by friends he meets along the way, the man follows her trail across the bottom of the sea to the Killer Whale House. Find out what happens to Nanasimgit and K’uljáad in this ancient Haida story.Illustrated by Haida artist Janine Gibbons. The X̱aad Kíl edition of this book was translated by Skíl Jáadei Linda Schrack and Ilskyalas Delores Churchill.  (Buy) (X̱aad Kíl Audio)

Raven and the Hidden Halibut is an origin story based on traditional oral narratives. In the story, Halibut invites Raven to a game of hide and seek, and Raven is surprised how well Halibut, a bright white fish, can hide. The book was illustrated by Tlingit artist Nick Alan Foote, originally of Ketchikan. The text was written by the 2014-2015 fourth and fifth grade Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (TCLL) students at Harborview Elementary in Juneau, who performed it as a play through SHI’s Voices on the Land program. (Buy)

Aadé S’áxt’ Haa Jeet Kawdihayi Yé (How Devil’s Club Came to Be) is an original story that tells of a young girl who sets out to save her village. This book, which was previously published in English through Baby Raven Reads, is told entirely in Lingít, which was composed by Tlingit Elder Florence Sheakley. Written by Tlingit author Miranda Rose Kaagwéil Worl and illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade. Lingít audio narrated by Jill Meserve. (Lingít Audio) (Buy)

 

Nax̱too.aat! S’áaxw yéi daané ḵa haa atx̱aayí daat shalneek (Let’s Go! A Harvest Story) teaches about Southeast Alaska Native subsistence activities and foods. This book, which was previously published in English through Baby Raven Reads, is told entirely in Lingít, which was composed by Tlingit Elder Florence Sheakley. Written by Hannah Lindoff and illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade. Lingít audio narrated by Jill Meserve. (Lingít Audio) (Buy)

 

Am’ala is a traditional Tsimshian story about a young man who is teased by his brothers for being lazy and dirty trains secretly with a spirit to gain superhuman strength. This book, which was previously published in English through Baby Raven Reads, is told entirely in Sm’algya̱x, which was composed by The Haayk Foundation with the late Tsimshian Elder Sarah Booth. The story was adapted by Tlingit writer Frank Henry Kaash Katasse and illustrated by Tsimshian artist David Lang. Sm’algya̱x  audio narrated by David R. Boxley. (Sm’algya̱x Audio) (Buy)

 

Cradle Songs of Southeast Alaska teaches traditional lullaby songs in all three Southeast Alaska languages. Cradle Songs is the institute’s first fully trilingual book, which features Lingít (Tlingit), X̱aad Kíl (Haida) and Sm'algya̱x (Tsimshian) old and new songs, English translations, and a CD. The first two Lingít songs are attributed to Kaal.átk (Charlie Joseph) and the third one to Clara Peratrovich, who learned it from her grandmother. The versions in SHI’s book were adapted from Ed Littlefield’s 2011 CD, Walking Between Worlds. The X̱aad Kíl songs were adapted from texts owned by the Hlii'ilaang Kun 'Lan-gáay and HIGaa'xatgu 'Láanaas families, as recorded by John Swanton. The translations and modern orthography were done by Skíl Jáadei (Linda Schrack), Kwíigaay Í'waans (Phyllis Almquist) and llskyalas (Delores Churchill). The Sm'algyax cradle songs are new works composed by Nancy Barnes and The Haayk Foundation, which, along with Mique'l Dangeli, provided the translations. The book was illustrated by Tlingit Athabascan artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Worl. The CD features songs and spoken word performances by Ed Littlefield, Skíl Jáadei, Nancy Barnes, Nancy Evelyn Barnes, Katie Price, and David R. Boxley. (Buy)

X̱anggáay: Learn the Colors in X̱aad Kíl teaches the Haida words for colors through comparisons to animals, plants and natural objects found in Southeast Alaska. The Haida words were compiled by Skíl Jáadei (Linda Schrak) and K’uyáang (Benjamin Young), and the book was illustrated by David Lang. (Buy)

 

Wilgyigyet: Learn the colors in Sm’algyax teaches the Tsimshian words for colors. The Tsimshian words were compiled by The Haayk Foundation, and the book was illustrated by David Lang.


 

Raven and the Tide Lady: Raven and the Tide Lady is a children’s book based on ancient Northwest Coast Raven stories. In the tale, Raven fights with Tide Lady to bring low tide and allow humans to gather food. The story was adapted by Tlingit writer Pauline Duncan from the works of the late Nora and Dick Dauenhauer, who transcribed the stories from Elders’ oral accounts. The original Raven stories are complex, humorous and sometimes filled with raucous adventures. Raven stories are not about what is viewed as proper behavior, but what is not acceptable behavior. Raven the Trickster is found in oral traditions throughout North America and elsewhere in the world and teaches people how to exist in society.  Illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade. (Buy) (Book Review: Anchorage Daily News)
 

Raven Loses His Nose: Raven Loses His Nose is a children’s book based on ancient Northwest Coast Raven stories. In the tale, Raven’s greediness results in a temporary loss of his nose. The story was adapted by Tlingit writer Pauline Duncan from the works of the late Nora and Dick Dauenhauer, who transcribed the stories from Elders’ oral accounts. The original Raven stories are complex, humorous and sometimes filled with raucous adventures. Raven stories are not about what is viewed as proper behavior, but what is not acceptable behavior. Raven the Trickster is found in oral traditions throughout North America and elsewhere in the world and teaches people how to exist in society.  Illustrated by Tsimshian artist David Lang. (Buy) (Book Review: Anchorage Daily News)

Raven Makes the Aleutians: Raven Makes the Aleutians is a children’s book based on ancient Northwest Coast Raven stories. In the tale, Raven’s ingenuity leads to the creation of the Aleutian Chain. The story was adapted from the works of the late Nora and Dick Dauenhauer, who transcribed the stories from Elders’ oral accounts. The original Raven stories are complex, humorous and sometimes filled with raucous adventures. Raven stories are not about what is viewed as proper behavior, but what is not acceptable behavior. Raven the Trickster is found in oral traditions throughout North America and elsewhere in the world and teaches people how to exist in society.  Illustrated by Haida artist Janine Gibbons. (Buy) (Book Review: Anchorage Daily News)

How Devil's Club Came to Be: How Devil's Club Came to Be is an original story inspired by ancient oral traditions that have been handed down through the generations. It tells the story of Raven’s niece who sets off to save her village after a giant kidnaps her village’s shaman and leaves her people ailing. Along the way, she meets the Thunderbird People and is transformed into a Thunderbird. In this form, she fights the giant and discovers Devil’s Club, a plant common in Southeast Alaska that is considered sacred for its medicinal properties. Written by Tlingit author Miranda Rose Kaagwéil Worl and illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade. (Recommended by American Indians in Children's Literature)  (Buy) 

The Woman Who Married The Bear and The Woman Carried Away By Killer Whales: This two-book boxed set includes the following two children's books, published through SHI's award-winning Baby Raven Reads program. The Woman Carried Away by Killer Whales: When a woman is carried off by killer whales, her husband embarks on a journey to get her back. Aided by friends he meets along the way, the man follows her trail across the bottom of the sea to the Killer Whale House. Find out what happens to Nanasimgit and K’uljáad in this ancient Haida story. Illustrated by Haida artist Janine Gibbons. The Woman Who Married the Bear: In this ancient Tlingit story, a woman who has insulted the bears while out berry picking meets a bear in human form. They fall in love and get married. Soon, the woman’s brothers come looking for her and the woman learns her husband is not what he appears to be. Text adapted by Tlingit writer Frank Henry Kaash Kataase. Illustrated by Haida artist Janine Gibbons. (Buy)

 

Am'ala: In this traditional Tsimshian story, a young man who is teased by his brothers for being lazy and dirty trains secretly with a spirit and gains superhuman strength.  He takes on warriors, animals, and even a mountain before facing his greatest challenge - the world itself. Story adapted by writer Frank Henry Kaash Katasse. Illustrated by Tsimshian artist David Lang. (Buy)

 

Let's Go! A Harvest Story is a children's story that teaches about subsistence harvesting activities of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian of Southeast Alaska. The story is by local Juneau author, Hannah Lindoff, and illustrated by Tlingit artist, Michaela Goade. This book is part of Baby Raven Reads, an award-winning Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (Buy)

 

Picking Berries is a children's story that teaches the English and Tlingit words for berries of Southeast Alaska. The story was written by local Juneau author Hannah Lindoff and illustrated by Tsimshian artist David Lang. This book is part of Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (Buy)

 

Native Values: Living in Harmony explores the four core cultural values of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian of Southeast Alaska. Written by Tlingit Anthropologist and President of Sealaska Heritage Institute Rosita Worl, Ph.D.  This book is part of Baby Raven Reads, an award-winning Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (Buy) 

 

Salmon Boy: Shanyáak'utlaax is a children's story that teaches about respect for nature, animals and culture. It comes from an ancient Tlingit story that was edited by Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, and Nora and Richard Dauenhauer. Illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade. This book is part of the award-winning Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. You can also listen to Shanyáak'utlaax read aloud in Tlingit by Elder David Katzeek.
(Winner of the 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Best Picture Book Award.) (Audio Book) (Buy)  

 

10 Sitka Herring: Learn to count by tracing the fate of a herring school from 10 to one fish as they encounter Southeast Alaska predators! Herring and herring eggs are a traditional and important food in Southeast Alaska. Written by Pauline Duncan. Illustrated by David Lang. $10. Boardbook. This volume was produced through SHI's Baby Raven Reads program for Alaska Native families with children age 5 and under. The program promotes language development and school readiness. (Buy)

Tlingit Baby Eagle: In Southeast Alaska, the Tlingit and Haida are divided into Raven and Eagle groups. Learn about the beings and creatures that belong to the Eagle clans! Eagle clan illustrations by Crystal Worl. Environmental illustrations by Nobu Koch. $10. Boardbook. This volume was produced through SHI's Baby Raven Reads program for Alaska Native families with children age 5 and under. The program promotes language development and school readiness. (Recommended by American Indians in Children’s Literature) (Buy)

Tlingit Baby Raven: In Southeast Alaska, the Tlingit and Haida are divided into Raven and Eagle groups. Learn about the beings and creatures that belong to the Raven clans! Eagle clan illustrations by Crystal Worl. Environmental illustrations by Nobu Koch. $10. Boardbook. This volume was produced through SHI's Baby Raven Reads program for Alaska Native families with children age 5 and under. The program promotes language development and school readiness. (Recommended by American Indians in Children’s Literature) (Buy)

​Haida Baby Eagle:In Southeast Alaska, the Tlingit and Haida are divided into Raven and Eagle groups. Haida Baby Eagle teaches the English and X̱aad Kíl (Haida language) words for Eagle clan crests. The clan crests were illustrated by Crystal Worl, and the Southeast Alaska environmental illustrations were made by Nobu Koch. Benjamin Young edited the X̱aad Kíl words. This book is part of Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness.Learn about the beings and creatures that belong to the Eagle clans! (More Inventory Coming Soon)

​Haida Baby Raven: In Southeast Alaska, the Tlingit and Haida are divided into Raven and Eagle groups. Haida Baby Raven teaches the English and X̱aad Kíl (Haida language) words for Raven clan crests. The clan crests were illustrated by Crystal Worl, and the Southeast Alaska environmental illustrations were made by Nobu Koch. Benjamin Young edited the X̱aad Kíl words. This book is part of Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness.Learn about the beings and creatures that belong to the Eagle clans! (More Inventory Coming Soon)

Origins of Rivers and Streams: A Raven Story: This book is derived from an ancient creation story that has been passed from generation to generation for thousands of years. Adapted from oral histories by Pauline Duncan and illustrated by Lindsay Carron, it is also available as part of a three-book set that includes Raven and the Box of Daylight and Raven Brings us Fire. All three books are part of Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (More Individual Books Coming Soon) (Buy Set)

Raven and the Box of Daylight: This book is derived from an ancient creation story that has been passed from generation to generation for thousands of years. Adapted from oral histories by Pauline Duncan and illustrated by Lindsay Carron, it is also available as part of a three-book set that includes Origins of Rivers and Streams and Raven Brings Us Fire. All three books are part of Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (More Individual Books Coming Soon) (Buy Set)

Raven Brings Us Fire: This book is derived from an ancient creation story that has been passed from generation to generation for thousands of years. Adapted from oral histories by Pauline Duncan and illustrated by Lindsay Carron, it is also available as part of a three-book set that includes Raven and the Box of Daylight and Origins of Rivers and Streams. All three books are part of Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (More Individual Books Coming Soon) (Buy Set)

Colors: This book teaches the Lingít words for colors through comparisons to animals, plants and natural objects found in Southeast Alaska. The Lingít words were compiled by Yarrow Vaara and the book was illustrated by David Lang. This book is part of Sealaska Heritage Institute's Baby Raven Reads, a program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (Buy)

 

​Tlingit Alphabet: This is a two-book set edited by Katrina Hotch, Linda Belarde and Keri Eggleston, reviewed by traditional scholar Dr. Walter Soboleff and illustrated by Crystal Worl. The books are part of Baby Raven Reads, a Sealaska Heritage program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness. (Buy)

 

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Children's Books (Other)

Killer Whale Eyes:This children's book tells the story of a young Haida girl born with blue eyes who has a deep bond with the sea and its creatures. As a young woman, she paddles out to sea in a canoe and is lost. Her family searches for her for four seasons. Then, one day, while singing I am a Child of the Ocean, their dagwáang’s (dear one’s) special song, they are suddenly surrounded by killer whales. As her chanáa (grandfather) looks into the eyes of one of the whales, he recognizes his granddaughter. What they discover is that ever-so-quiet wonder that tells them this world is truly magic. Wnd illustrated by Sondra Simone Segundo of the Raven Clan, Double Fin Killer Whale Crest, Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute in 2014. $15. Paperback. (Buy) (Song: I'm a Child of the Ocean) 

 

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Art Books and Other

(Print Book Catalog)

Tlingit Wood Carving: How to Cave a Tlingit Tray: Learn the ancient Tlingit tradition of wood carving with Tlingit artist Richard Beasley. This full color photo book will take you step-by-step through projects showing how to make a traditional tray, paint and paintbrushes. You'll also learn how to inlay abalone and opercula into wood. Learn from the accomplished carver Richard Beasley -- a lifelong artist with more than three decades of experience. The projects were documented over three years through a federal grant from the Administration for Native Americans. Most of the photos were taken by the well-known Juneau photographer Mark Kelley. Each project is preceded by an historical overview written by former SHI Ethnologist Kathy Miller. SHI President Rosita Worl wrote the foreword for the books, which were edited and designed by Kathy Dye. $20. Paperback. ( Buy)

Wood Carving: How to Cave a Tlingit Hat: Learn the ancient Tlingit tradition of wood carving with Tlingit artist Richard Beasley. This full color photo book will take you step-by-step through projects showing how to make a traditional hat, paint and paintbrushes. You'll also learn how to inlay abalone and opercula into wood. Learn from the accomplished carver Richard Beasley -- a lifelong artist with more than three decades of experience. The projects were documented over three years through a federal grant from the Administration for Native Americans. Most of the photos were taken by the well-known Juneau photographer Mark Kelley. Each project is preceded by an historical overview written by former SHI Ethnologist Kathy Miller. SHI President Rosita Worl wrote the foreword for the books, which were edited and designed by Kathy Dye. $20. Paperback. ( Buy)

Tlingit Wood Carving: How to Cave a Tlingit Mask: Learn the ancient Tlingit tradition of wood carving with Tlingit artist Richard Beasley. This full color photo book will take you step-by-step through projects showing how to make a traditional mask, paint and paintbrushes. You'll also learn how to inlay abalone and opercula into wood. Learn from the accomplished carver Richard Beasley -- a lifelong artist with more than three decades of experience. The projects were documented over three years through a federal grant from the Administration for Native Americans. Most of the photos were taken by the well-known Juneau photographer Mark Kelley. Each project is preceded by an historical overview written by former SHI Ethnologist Kathy Miller. SHI President Rosita Worl wrote the foreword for the books, which were edited and designed by Kathy Dye $25. Paperback. (Buy)

A Basic Guide to Northwest Coast Formline Art: Art is integral to the life ways of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. It surrounds us and it holds us up. Our Northwest Coast art is ingrained in the social fabric and oral histories of our clans. It is characterized by formline—a term used to describe the unique artistic style of the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast. Formline is a composition of lines whose widths vary to create form. The overall collection of these compose an image or design. The formline designs may represent stories of Raven (the Trickster), historic events, clan crests, or other concepts. Formline is an art that dates back more than two thousand years. In this booklet we aim to provide a concise and easy-to-understand guide for interpreting Northwest Coast formline art.  - compiled by Rico Lanaat' Worl, Shaadoo'tlaa, and Donald Heendei Gregory. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute in 2014. $15. Paperback.

Haa Léelk’w Hás Aaní Saax’ú: Our Grandparents’ Names on the Land: A landmark book documenting more than 3,000 Native place names and their locations in Southeast Alaska. Nearly twenty years in the making, it is the most comprehensive study of its kind. It was compiled by Dr. Thomas Thornton in collaboration with hundreds of people, including area Tribes and Elders, under several grants administered by Harold Martin through the Southeast Native Subsistence Commission and Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The vast majority of place names in the book are of Tlingit origin. But there are also Haida place names, and some Tsimshian Eyak, Chugach and Athabaskan names. The chapters are organized by kwáan, traditional community territories which roughly correspond to modern community areas. Each chapter includes a narrative and concludes with a map showing place name locations along with a table listing the Native names, translations and locations. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute in association with the University of Washington Press in 2012. Winner of the Alaska Historical Society's 2012 "Contributions to Alaska History Award" and the Alaska Library Association's "Alaskana Award." $60, Hardcover. $30, Paperback. (Buy)

Celebration: Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian Dancing on the Land:  Find yourself in Sealaska Heritage Institute's first photo book of Celebration. Includes images by Bill Hess from the first Celebration through 2006. Includes brief articles written by Rosita Worl and features essays by Dr. Maria Williams, a Tlingit who holds a PhD in music, and Robert Davidson, a well-known Haida artist who has carved some of the stunning masks featured at Celebration. It also includes a foreword by Byron Mallott, a Sealaska director and well-known Native leader who was elected Alaska Lt. Governor in 2014. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute in association with the University of Washington Press, 2008. Recommended by CHOICE, Current Reviews for Academic Libraries (a division of the American Library Association). $20. Hardcover. (Buy)

Celebration 2000--Restoring Balance Through Culture: Features 23 major contributions by traditional and academic scholars on Southeast Alaska topics, such as Alaska history, language, culture, arts, and literature, and includes essays by 13 Native authors. Celebration 2000 can be used as a textbook, a reference, or just for pleasurable reading. Edited by Susan W. Fair and Rosita Worl, includes a comprehensive bibliography, 206 pp. Paperback. Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute. $15. Paperback. (Buy)

 

Menadelook: An Inupiat Teacher’s Photographs of Alaska Village Life, 1907-1932: Features nearly one-hundred old, rare and priceless photographs of Inupiat life in the early 20th century made by Inupiat photographer and teacher Charles Menadelook. The photos document life in Kingigin (Wales) in the Bering Strait from 1907-1932. Written and compiled by Menadelook’s granddaughter, Eileen Norbert. Foreword by Rosita Worl. $44.95. Hardcover. (Book Review: Fabulous photos lift account of early 20th-century Alaska village life) (Buy) http://box  

 

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Box of Knowledge Series

A Life Painted in Yarn: A Biography of Tlingit Chilkat Weaver Clara Newman Benson: This essay by Zachary Jones, Ph.D., provides the first biography of Tlingit Chilkat weaver Clara Newman Benson of Klukwan, Alaska, and attributes her artistic creations. Benson was a significant weaver of her day and prolific producer of Chilkat weavings that function as ceremonial objects within the Tlingit community. Establishing her place in Alaska's history and art history is one goal of the study, as well as adding content to the body of scholarship on historic Alaskan women. Benson, who was of an aanyádi (high-class or aristocratic) family of the G̱aanax̱teidí clan, Yéil Hít (Raven House) of Klukwan, was known for weaving naaxein k’oodás’ (Chilkat tunics) and naaxein (Chilkat robes). Published by Sealaska Heritage in 2022. $10, paperback. (Buy)

National Recognition of the Traditional Cultural Significance of X'unáx̱i (Indian Point): This paper brings together three essays by Dr. Rosita Worl, Dr. Thomas Thornton, and Dr. Chuck Smythe that document the historic and decades-long battle to protect Juneau's Indian Point, near Auke Bay, Alaska, considered to be a sacred site to Native people. The saga that began in 1959 with a proposal to develop the site and culminated in 2016, when SHI prevailed in an effort to list it the National Register of Historic Places, making it the first traditional cultural property in Southeast Alaska to be placed on the register. The case offers a clear lesson that can be learned or affirmed: that we as Native Americans view the protection of our sacred sites as essential, and we will avail ourselves of every mechanism to shelter them, wrote SHI President Rosita Worl, Ph.D. “We are not apologetic that our cultural beliefs may conflict with Western values or stand in the way of progress or the construction of a new facility. Our cultural values must be interpreted and applied on their own merit and not defined or structured in the context of national laws or needs,” she wrote. Published by Sealaska Heritage in 2022. $12, paperback.(Buy)

Doing Battle with the Halibut People: The Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Halibut Hook: The most comprehensive resource ever published on traditional northern Northwest Coast halibut hooks, this book delves deeply into the engineering, use, and spiritual dimensions of traditional northern Northwest Coast halibut hooks. The cultural and ecological knowledge in the book came mainly from a number of expert Tlingit fishermen and traditional scholars, who generously shared the knowledge received from their fathers and grandfathers, as well as learned through their own experiences. Those individuals included Jon Rowan, Mike Douville, Robert George, Thomas George and Webster Demmert of Klawock; Charles Jack, Thomas Jack and Ken Grant of Hoonah; David Katzeek of Juneau (formerly of Klukwan); and Ted Valle of Yakutat. Traditional scholars who participated included Clarence Jackson and Dr. Walter Soboleff. Dr. Steve Langdon, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, conducted the majority of the interviews. Written by Chuck Smythe, Ph.D., published by Sealaska Heritage in 2018, and updated in 2022. $20, paperback. (Buy) 

The Distribution of Subsistence Herring Eggs from Sitka Sound, Alaska: This book recommends major changes to the way the State of Alaska manages the sac roe herring fishery in Sitka Sound and predicts dire outcomes for the ancient subsistence herring roe fishery located there, which supports people across the state and Pacific Northwest, if things do not change. The book also touts the enormous, wide-ranging social and ecological benefits of Pacific herring from Sitka Sound and the unique Alaskan subsistence economy and ecosystem services which depend on their production and distribution. The report finds that spawning populations of herring outside of Sitka Sound have been depleted by commercial reduction and sac roe fishing and that the role of Sitka herring as a keystone subsistence resource and foundation forage fish for salmon, sea mammals and other fish and wildlife in the marine food web should be a matter of public policy concern, review and reform. Written by Tom Thornton, Ph.D. and published by Sealaska Heritage in 2019.  $20, paperback. (Buy)

Tlingit Law, American Injustice, and the Destruction of Tlingit Villages: The Tlingit had a highly developed system of law. Tlingit law is based on a group orientation, rather than the individualistic system in American law. The entire clan is responsible for any wrong-doing committed by any individual clan member. When laws were broken, and if conflicts were not resolved to restore peace, the consequence would be violence as clans protected their claims to property and demanded compensation for insults, injuries or worse. The death of a clan member, purposeful or accidental, required the offending clan to offer the life of an individual of equal status, or payment in goods in an amount acceptable to the injured clan. If the death was caused by a non-Native, the clan would seek a payment of restitution and in some cases would take the life of a non-Native as compensation. Such actions were considered legal under Tlingit law. Bombardments of the Tlingit villages of Kake, Angoon, and Wrangell resulted from such differences in legal systems.  Written by SHI President Dr. Rosita Worl, an anthropologist, who is Tlingit of the Shangukeidí clan. Published by Sealaska Heritage in 2020.  $8, paperback. (Buy)

Aas Ḵwáani, People of the Trees: Ancient Ceremonial Rites: Over the course of at least 10,000 years of continuous occupation of this region, the Tlingit People developed close relationships with the environment, and accepted that everything has a spirit. They, along with the Haida and Tsimshian, developed practices and ceremonies recognizing the spiritual relationship they have with the land, including the Tree People. Tree ceremonies continue to be practiced today to ensure the sustainability of the forests and provide benefits for future generations. Written by SHI President Dr. Rosita Worl, an anthropologist, who is Tlingit of the Shangukeidí clan. Published by Sealaska Heritage in 2020.  $8, paperback. (Buy)

The Significance of Sharing Resources in Sustaining Indigenous Alaskan Communities and Cultures: Indigenous Alaskan societies have existed and flourished for more than 10,000 years, building sophisticated regional adaptations utilizing natural resources available to them. Indigenous Alaskans depended and continue to depend on annual harvests of fish, wildlife, birds, and plants for food and other uses. They developed social and cultural systems to provide for the well-being of the group and its members through various institutions and practices. Their spiritual systems were based on beliefs in the essential similarity of and interconnectedness of humans and other species that respected and sought to sustain the continuous return of the species on which they depended. As a central value and practice characteristic of all Indigenous Alaskan societies, sharing subsistence resources was and is a foundation of Indigenous life and livelihood. This paper describes and discusses the position of sharing in Indigenous Alaskan societies and identifies its significance in sustaining Indigenous Alaskan communities and maintaining Indigenous Alaskan cultures. Written by Steve Langdon, Ph.D. and published by Sealaska Heritage in 2021. $15, paperback. (PDF)

Determination of Alaska Native Status under the Marine Mammal Protection Act: The indigenous people of Alaska, known now collectively as Alaska Natives, face many complex issues in the 21st century. Some of these issues are the result of federal legislation that has defined and constrained Alaska Natives in various ways while creating institutions to address the special relationship between indigenous Alaskans and the federal government. Among the most difficult of the issues is establishing who is an Alaska Native because the term is defined differently for various purposes under federal legislation. Who is an Alaska Native, how does one know, and who decides is also critically important to establishing who is eligible to hunt marine mammals and create traditional handicrafts from marine mammal materials under the regulatory definitions of Alaska Native that have been adopted by federal agencies to implement the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The MMPA regulatory definitions emphasize 1/4 blood quantum as the primary criteria for identifying an Alaska Native. Written by Steve Langdon, Ph.D. and published by Sealaska Heritage in 2021. $15, paperback. (Buy)  

 

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