By Stephanie Brown, Assistant Archivist
Title: Tlingit Elders Biographical Manscripts and Oratory Collection, 1968-1994
ID: MS/025
Primary Creator: Dauenhauer, Richard L. (1942-2014)
Extent: 6.0 Boxes
Date Acquired: 00/00/1994
Subjects: Tlingit Indians--History.
This collection contains six boxes of working files from scholars Richard Dauenhauer and Nora Marks Dauenhauer while researching and composing their books Haa Kusteeyi, Our Culture: Tlingit Life Stories (1994), Haa Tuwunaagu Yis, For Healing Our Spirit: Tlingit Oratory (1990), and Haa Shuka: Our Ancestors (1987) that were joint published by Sealaska Heritage Institute and University of Washington Press. The Dauenhauers were employees of the Sealaska Heritage Institute while these working files were generated.
Regarding the content of the working files, these consist of interviews the Dauenhauers conducted various Tlingit elders, as well as compiled biographical files on certain Tlingit elders and topics, which contain some primary source materials not published in the books. Some of these working and biographical files contain correspondence, transcripts, interviews, clippings, programs, genealogical information, and other. The collection also contains documents from an oral transcription project (translation of speeches from Tlingit to English) undertaken by Nora Marks Dauenhauer, funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities grant and the Sealaska Heritage Institute. Some of the final translations appear at the end of Haa Kusteeyi and Haa Tuwunaagu Yis. Some biographical information collected in the course of research for this book would also later be included in Haa Kusteeyi. Folder 18 in Box 5 contains documents relating to Haa Shuka, and consists mostly of the University of Washington Press’ correspondence with the Dauenhauers regarding editing and other technical matters. All in all, this collection documents the process of writing these three major Tlingit studies books and provides valuable biographical and cultural information on various Tlingit elders and Tlingit culture.
Repository: Sealaska Heritage Institute Archives
Acquisition Source: Sealaska Heritage Institute
Acquisition Method: The materials in this collection were transferred to SHI archives following the publication of each of the books. Transfers to Special Collections for files concerning Haa Kusteeyi occurred in 1994, Haa Tuwunaagu in 1990, and Haa Shuka in 1987. Accession numbers: 1987.001, 1990.001, and 1994.001
Fd 1: Documents concerning Matilda Paul Tamaree, including correspondence, memoranda, stories about her and from her as told by her daughter-in-law, Frances Lakey Paul. Also contains documents for and rough drafts of biography meant for Haa Kusteeyi, 1993, Paul family trees, newspaper clippings regarding her social activism, and her obituary from August 26, 1952, documents on her involvement in the Presbyterian church, 1931.
Fd 2: Documents concerning Matilda Paul Tamaree, including correspondence, biographical Documents used for and rough drafts of biography meant for Haa Kusteeyi. 1993.
Fd 3: Documents concerning Judson Brown, including draft of biography for Haa Kusteeyi, newspaper interviews, native issues newsletter sent to him to his address in Seattle in 1994.
Fd 4: Documents concerning Dr. Walter Soboleff, including information about Soboleff family photograph collection, circa 1960s, Soboleff family tree, copy of photograph of annual Presbyterian meeting, undated, copy of Tlingit Values” statement drafted by Soboleff, 1992, handwritten research notes and interviews with some former members of his congregation, undated.
Fd 5: Documents concerning Louis and Florence Shortridge, including draft biography for Haa Kusteeyi, articles on Chilkat blanket weaving, information on the “Tina Blanket,” undated, correspondence re manuscript of Florence Shortridge, 1994.
Fd 6: Documents concerning William Johnson, contains biographical newspaper article, 1979, family trees, from interview with Johnson, biographical information compiled for Haa Kusteyi.
Fd 7: Documents concerning George Davis, contains biographical information and notes for Haa Kusteeyi. Undated.
Fd 8: Documents concerning William Paul, contains obituary from Anchorage Daily News, 5/6/1994, correspondence regarding his biographical information compiled for the Haa Kusteeyi book, 1994, rough draft of biography for Haa Kusteyi book, 3/24/1994.
Fd 9: Documents concerning Paul Liberty, contains family tree, rough draft of biography for Haa Kusteeyi book, 6/24/1993, research notes and documents used for biographical information, obituary for daughter Helen Howard, 2/3/1984.
Fd 10: Documents concerning Charlie Joseph, contains press clippings documenting Hoonah plane crash which he and his wife survived, November 6, 1954, newspaper containing article documenting 70th wedding anniversary, 1985, obituary, 1986.
Fd 11: Documents concerning Horace Marks, contains draft from an obituary written on his death on 4/2//1994, and a rough draft of the obituary.