Frank E. James Manuscripts, c. 1950s | Sealaska Heritage Institute Archives

Scope and Contents: This collection contains a photocopy of an unpublished manuscript of Tlingit oral traditions as written in English by Tlingit Indian Frank E. James (1893/94-1959). Most likely written in the 1950s, this manuscript was written in a notebook by James and contains two oral traditions about the 1882 Bombardment of Angoon by the U.S. Navy and a story about a Taku íxt’ (spiritual man) named Taakwx’ w’aal’ (perhaps meaning; winter feathers). The story about Taakwx’ w’aal’ speaks about his interactions with other íxt’ from Sitka, also listing some place names, such as the Taku village of Asgutu’ Aan.