Scope and Contents: This collection consists of ten oral history audio interviews concerning Tlingit elder Judson Brown (1912-1998), dating to 1982 and 1993, and three recordings of a cultural gathering or potlatch recorded by Judson Brown circa 1982.
In regards to the oral history interviews, eight of the recordings record Brown being interviewed, while two recordings consist of Brown interviewing Tlingit elder Frank Peratrovich. Overall, the interviews primary contain detailed discussions on Tlingit customs, culture, life, language, important people, history, and events of interest to the Tlingit people generally, and in some cases, specifically concerning the Tlingit people of the Haines and Klukwan area, the Jilkoot and Jilkaat Kwáans. These recordings contain speaking in both the English and Tlingit language.
In regards to the specific recordings, which have been numbered 1-13, eight of these recordings (Items 1-4, 10-13) are oral history interviews of Judson Brown, four recorded in 1983 and four recorded in 1993. The 1983 recordings were conducted while Brown looked through an old photo album, responding to questions about people and events from the album, and then he discussed Tlingit life and culture in Haines and Southeast Alaska in general. The 1993 interviews also discuss aspects of Brown’s life and his knowledge Tlingit culture and history. On two recordings (Items 8-9) Brown interviews Tlingit elder Frank Peratrovich. These recordings contain additional discussions on Tlingit culture and history, and include songs and speaking in Tlingit.
Three recordings from this collection (Items 5-7) contain a recording of a cultural gathering or ku.éex. The speaking and singing on these three recordings are entirely in the Tlingit language, and amounts to around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Originally all these recordings were recorded on cassette (Items 1-9) and micro-cassette (Items 10-13), but archives staff had the audio migrated to CD format. The sound quality of these recordings was improved from the original, and patrons can listen to enhanced recordings on CD format. This collection now includes the CD and original cassette and micro-cassette formats. Patrons are allowed to listen to the CD copies.
Additionally, archives staff has transcribed the English language portions of the recordings numbered 1-4 and 8-9, but segments in the Tlingit language on these recordings remain un-transcribed. The 1993 recordings (Items 10-13) have not been transcribed at this time, and neither have the Tlingit language recordings from the cultural gathering (Items 5-7).
Note: Those further interested in Judson Brown should see the Judson Brown Papers Collection (Mss 17).
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