By Zachary R. Jones, Archivist
Title: Juneau Indian Studies Program Recordings, 1969-1974
ID: MC/007
Primary Creator: Juneau Indian Studies Program
Other Creators: Peck, Cyrus Sr.
Extent: 4.0 Boxes
Subjects: Tlingit Indians--History.
This collection consists of various recordings associated with the Juneau Indian Studies Program, generally a grant funded program to facilitate the education of Native American Indians in ways recommended by Native Americans. The recordings in this collection consist of color and black and white audiovisual recordings created in 1969 to aid in the education of Tlingit language, and recordings of Juneau Indian Studies classroom discussions and lectures during the 1974 year.
The Tlingit language recordings consist of a set of ten moving image recordings dating to 1969, created and used by the Juneau Indian Studies Program, for introductory level Tlingit language education. The speakers are Johnny Marks (1943-2009) and Eva Marks (1952-1981). The originals were captured on Videotronic Super 8 Cartridges, which have been migrated to DVD for patron viewing. They are entitled Let’s Learn Language: Clinket Version.
The remaining recordings consist of Juneau Indian Studies classroom discussions and lectures during the 1974 year. All recordings appear to have been recorded in Juneau, excluding one dance practice and lecture in Angoon. Some recordings in this section are in Tlingit, but the bulk are in English. These recordings were originally captured on Helical Scan Video reels, but were migrated in 2010, and are available on DVD for public viewing.
The DVD copies of the recordings in this collection available for public use are housed in Box 1, with Boxes 2-4 housing the original reels and cartridges.
These recordings document the educational efforts of the Tlingit people to educate their youth publicly in the early Self-Determination period. Documented in these recordings are discussions on language, culture, and history.
Repository: Sealaska Heritage Institute Archives
Use Restrictions: Permissions & Rights Notice: On February 8, 2012 the Belo Corporation, owners of the former King Broadcasting Company and copyright holders for the Let’s Learn Language: Clinket Version recordings in this collection, granted SHI full permission for use of these recordings without restriction for Tlingit language education.
Acquisition Source: Juneau Indian Studies Program
Acquisition Method: The material in the collection was obtained from the Juneau Indian Studies Program prior to Oct. 2007.
Item 1: Color audiovisual recordings of the Tlingit language learning program “Let’s Learn Language: Clinket Version,” 1969, produced by the Juneau Indian Studies Program. Format: DVD and Videotronic Super 8 Cartridges, migrated in 2010 [Videotronic Super 8 Cartridges in Boxes 2-3]. This collection consists of a set of moving image recordings aimed to teach introductory/beginner level Tlingit language to elementary school-aged children. The recordings contain a basic dialog between two hand puppets speaking Tlingit. These recordings are arranged into ten lessons, each lesson is approximately ten minutes long, and were originally used in conjunction with workbooks authored by Shirley R. McNally. [Shirley R. McNally used this same language development process, as well as similar recordings and workbooks for instruction of the Haida, Tsimshian, and Spanish languages. Note: SHI does not have the Tlingit workbooks, but does have the Tsimshian workbooks, which could be used to provide insight into the Tlingit lessons and recordings.] The ten units for language instruction include;
Unit 1, What’s your name?
Unit 2, Let’s play school.
Unit 3, Let’s make a window.
Unit 4, Five red flowers for Suzie.
Unit 5, Balloons, one through nine.
Unit 6, It’s time for school.
Unit 7, What is it?
Unit 8, Brush your teeth, comb your hair.
Unit 9, The curious coat.
Unit 10, Let’s open the door.
Item 2: Digital preservation files for Item 1, format DVD, 3 DVDs. [not for public use]
Item 3: Black and white audiovisual recording of the Marks Trail Dancers performing and singing in Tlingit, 1974. Dancers include Austin Hammond, Lillian Hammond, Willie Marks, Jimmy Marks, Daisy Philips, Kathy Dennis, and Austin Brown Jr. The background cloth screen was likely created by Jimmie Marks and Ray Peck. Original reel label reads “Tlingit Dancers, 1974.” Length; 16 minutes. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel, migrated in 2010. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1066. [Helical Scan Video reel in Box 4]
Item 4: Black and white audiovisual recording of Tlingit elders J.B. Fawcett and Walter ‘Babe’ Williams speaking with each other. Original reel label reads “Indian Studies Program, Johnnie Foster/Fawcett,” circa 1974. End of recording contains approximately five minutes of material not associated with the Indian Studies Program. Length; 30 minutes. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel, migrated in 2010. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1067. [Helical Scan Video reel in Box 4]
Item 5: Black and white audiovisual recording showing an Angoon Tlingit dance group practice for the Angoon youth, practice leader and narrator Cyrus Peck Sr., produced in conjunction with the Indian Studies Program, dated 1974. The dancing and recording was made to commemorate the late Robert Zuboff who had recently passed away, and who had trained these Tlingit youth to dance and sing. All youth are listed by name at conclusion of performance. Information about the performance and the reason why it was held is spoken about at the beginning of the recording. Original reel label reads “Angoon Dancers.” Length; 49 minutes. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel included. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1068. [Helical Scan Video reel in Box 4]
Items 6: Raw black and white audiovisual footage showing an Angoon Tlingit dance group practice for the Angoon youth, practice leader and narrator Cyrus Peck Sr., produced in conjunction with the Indian Studies Program, dated 1974. Two reels labeled “Raw Footage Angoon Dancers, part one,” and “part two,” footage from part one used to compile Item 5 (the previous recording.) [Part two is the same footage, but from the second camera placed in the room.] Length; 52 minutes and 61 minutes. Format; Two DVDs and two original Helical Scan Video reel included. Previous call # MC 1, Items 1072 and 1073. [Helical Scan Video reels in Box 4]
Item 7: Black and white audiovisual recording of an unidentified Tlingit elder speaking about Tlingit culture and singing Tlingit songs to a classroom of Tlingit youth at the Alaska State Museum, dated 2/11/1974. With Cyrus Peck Sr. in the background, the invited guest elder plays a recording of songs, and teaches the youth about the songs and how to dance to them, and the invites the class to dance. First few minutes of film lack audio. Original reel label reads “"Indian Studies Class, Alaska State Museum, Tlingit Culture - first hour" 02/11/1974.” Length; 58 minutes. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel, migrated in 2010. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1070. [Helical Scan Video reels in Box 4]
Item 8: Black and white audiovisual recording of a Tlingit youth dance group performing for other K-10 students, circa 1974, produced as part of the Juneau Indian Studies Program. All children dancing give their names, though it is difficult to understand all names listed. Dancers include Tomas ??, Mary Martin, Steve Beasley, Alyssa [last name not given], Steven Beasley, Margaret Johnson, Tomas Campbell, Bridget White, Berny Johnson, Kelly Martin, and Henry James. Original reel label reads “Indian Studies Program Dancers.” Length; 25 minutes. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel, migrated in 2010. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1071. [Helical Scan Video reels in Box 4]
Item 9: Black and white audiovisual recording of the commencement program for graduates of the Indian Studies Program, conducted by Cy Peck Sr., Gee-san Dancers perform to conclude the program, 3/9/1974. Original reel label reads “Indian Studies Program - Tlingit Culture, Commencement Program, Introduction; Totem Center, Gee-san; Class Diplomas; David Danielson; Dignitaries, 03/09/1974.” Length; 53 minutes. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel, migrated in 2010. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1074. [Helical Scan Video reels in Box 4]
Item 10: Two black and white audiovisual recordings of Joe Miguel teaching about taxidermy and additional footage related to Jim Crow laws/racism, undated. Original reel labels reads “Taxi Jeremy Master” and “Taxi Jeremy Master Part Two.” The first recording shows Joe Miguel teaching about taxidermy, the second continues this, and when the taxidermy lesson ends a previously recorded over recording begins which discusses racism in Alaska. It features Native and non-Native educators speaking, such as William L. Paul Sr., and various short interviews with individuals about racism. Discussion of Jim Crow. Length; 40 minutes and 56 minutes. Format; Two DVDs and two original Helical Scan Video reels, migrated in 2010. Previous call # MC 1, Items 1075 and 1076. [Helical Scan Video reels in Box 4]
Item 11: Black and white audiovisual showing Tlingit elders speaking about their culture to a classroom of Tlingit youth as part of the Juneau Indian Studies Program; Cy Peck Sr. conducting, George Jim, Al Widmark, and Clarissa Rizal participating/speaking, circa 1974, appears to be at the Alaska State Museum. Recording also features dancing and teaching about the role of shamans in Tlingit society, along with a short, respectful, and traditional Tlingit oratory speech given by George Jim (Wooshkeetaan) in Tlingit. Possible part two of the recording arranged as Item 7. Visual recording quality is poor, but audio is good. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel, migrated in 2010. Also contains audio recording (CD) of the George Jim oratory. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1080. [Helical Scan Video reel in Box 4]
Item 12: Black and white audiovisual recording of a high school basketball game, no audio with audiovisual recording, circa 1974. Original label reads “Save - 6th gr Presentation Tape.” This recording’s connection to the Indian Studies Program is unclear. Length; 55 minutes. Format; DVD and original Helical Scan Video reel, migrated in 2010. Previous call # MC 1, Item 1077. [Helical Scan Video reel in Box 4]
Item 1: Unit 1, What’s your name?
Item 2: Unit 2, Let’s play school.
Item 3: Unit 3, Let’s make a window.
Item 4: Unit 4, Five red flowers for Suzie.
Item 5: Unit 5, Balloons, one through nine.
Item 6: Unit 6, It’s time for school.
Item 7: Unit 7, What is it?
Item 8: Unit 8, Brush your teeth, comb your hair.
Item 9: Unit 9, The curious coat.
Item 10: Unit 10, Let’s open the door.
