By Alyssa Peterson, UAS Intern, and Zach Jones, Archivist
Title: Tlingit Oral Histories, Oratory, & Events Recordings Collection, 1910-2006
ID: MC/022
Primary Creator: Tlingit Indians.
Extent: 12.0 Boxes
Subjects: Tlingit Indians--History., Tlingit language.
This collection contains recordings dating from circa 1910 to 2007, and primarily consisting of oral history recordings, Tlingit oratory, and recordings of Tlingit events, such as cultural gatherings. These recordings have been obtained by SHI from various donors, and the collection will continue to grow as more recordings are obtained.
The vast bulk of the recordings in this collection are audio only, with a few audiovisual. Many of the recordings are entirely in the Tlingit language, and most with no English translations. The various speakers on these recordings provide information on many topics, including life histories and family genealogies; clan and crest histories; Tlingit political and social systems and customs; gathering and harvesting practices; art forms such as basketry, carving, weaving; legends and stories; songs; and the Tlingit language. Many Tlingit clans are represented in this collection. Overall, this collection provides a wealth of information on various subjects relative to Tlingit culture, oratory, history, and language.
Repository: Sealaska Heritage Institute Archives
Use Restrictions: Intellectual Properties Note: Since SHI adheres to the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials, and since we desire to honor Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian traditional cultural belief that clans retain the intellectual property rights to clan stories or songs, patrons who use or study clan songs or stories are asked to credit clan ownership to stories and songs.
Acquisition Source: Sealaska Heritage Institute
Acquisition Method: Items 1-95 in the collection were transferred from SHI’s Culture Department on 9/15/2010 to SHI; Item 94 was donated by Clarence Jackson to on 3/27/2008; Items 96-97 were transferred from SHI’s Media & Publications Department on 11/30/2011; Items 98-101 were obtained by SHI prior to Oct. 2007; Items 102-03 were donated by Lawrence J. Jackson to SHI on 7/14/2003 (Acc.#2003.002); Items 104-05 were deposited with permission of the Indian University Archives of Traditional Music (Acc. # 2011.040); Item 106 was obtained by SHI prior to Oct. 2007; Item 107 was donated to SHI by Donald Gregory on 1/6/2012; Items 108-111 were obtained by SHI prior to Oct. 2007; Item 112 was generated by SHI and a copy was placed in SHI’s archival collection on 1/20/2012; Item 113 was donated by Byron Mallott 12/11/2011 (Acc. #2011.041); items 114-119 were obtained by SHI prior to Oct. 2007; Items 120-122 were obtained by SHI prior to Oct. 2007; Item 124 was donated to SHI by Ishmael Hope on April 11, 2012; Items 125-139 were received by SHI prior to Oct. 2007; Items 140-141 were generated by SHI and transferred to archives on July 12, 2012; Items 142-43 were copied from originals in the Rosita Worl collection and added to this collection on August 27, 2012; Items 144-183 were obtained prior to Oct. 2007; Item 184 was donated by Roy Peratrovich Jr. in 2008; Items 185-189 were obtained prior to Oct. 2007; Items 193-198 were donated by the Sealaska Corporation on 2/19/2013; Item 199 was generated by SHI and placed in archives on 2/21/2013; Item 200 was donated by Rosita Worl on 5/15/2013; Item 201 was received prior to Oct. 2007; Item 202 was donated by Tim Lindoff on 5/22/2013; Item 203 was received prior to Oct. 2007; Item 204 was donated by the Sealaska Corporation on 10/15/2013; Item 205 was donated by Jackie Kookesh on 12/29/13; Item 207 was donated by Paul Marks on 4/9/14; Item 208 was generated by SHI and donated to SHI by Sorrel Goodwin on 1/10/2011; Item 209 was generated by SHI in 2000 and 2002;
Item 138: Audio recording labeled “Tlingit songs, sounds like Marks Trail [Dancers] songs,” undated. 12 minutes in length. Format; original cassette and migrated CD.
Item 139: Audio recording labeled “Tlingit speeches, Klukwan,” undated. Format; original cassette and CD [migrated in 2012]. About half of the content is in the Tlingit language, with English comprising the remaining. Audio quality is poor. Appears to be a copy of Item 135 of this collection.
Item 140: Audiovisual and audio recording of Clarence Jackson speaking about the importance of being present, recorded at SHI, 3-11/2008. Speaking in Tlingit and English. Format; two DVDs and two audio CDs.
Item 141: Audiovisual recording of Walter A. Soboleff being interviewed by Clarence Jackson and anthropologist Chuck Smythe about aspects of Tlingit art, recorded at SHI, 12-31-2007. Speaking in English. Format; two DVDs. Content; interview about the nature of Tlingit property law, the nature of Chilkat robes, clan property ownership aspects, how some pieces of regalia are now becoming personally owned (as opposed to clan owned like in the past), and other.
Item 142: Audio recording of the Marks Trail Dancers, May 1968, location unknown. 51 minutes in length. Format: CD. Migrated from original reel in 2012; from the Rosita Worl collection. Speaking and singing in Tlingit and English; performances and discussions of the dance group.
Item 143: Audio recording of the Marks Trail Dancers, January 1970, location unknown. 174 minutes in length. Format: 3 CDs. Migrated from original reel in 2012; from the Rosita Worl collection. Speaking and singing in Tlingit and English; performances and discussions of the dance group.
Item 144: Audio recording labeled “Jimmy Marks” and is a recording of a Chookaneidi party or koo.éex, circa 1975, location likely Hoonah. 56 minutes in length. Appears to contain Jimmy Marks, Austin Hammond, Tom Jimmy (Sx´andá.oo), and others (all identified by their Tlingit names) speaking and singing in Tlingit at a koo.éex. The koo.éex may have been hosted by Jimmy Marks or another Chookaneidi individual. Format; original cassette and CD. Migrated from cassette in 2012. Consult notes in file for a more detailed content explanation. Content includes: Side A: Koo.éex oratory; ooshgaashú whee [a removal of grief chant] is chanted five times, distribution of food, guest expression of appreciation, Austin Hammond speaks, discussion of a brown bear vest being transferred, placing an object of cultural patrimony on the host of the party, Austin Hammond speaks, song begins, oratory by male speaker, and songs. Side B: Speaker calls out the names of those that will sing, unidentified woman speaks briefly, a Kaagwaantaan song is sung, Tom Jimmy gives a very traditional oratorical speech, then a Shangukeidí love song about Thunderbird children is sang, followed by additional Shangukeidí songs, then the host clan begin singing a Chookaneidí love song.
Item 145: Audio recording labeled “Wickersham. It is likely the Marks Trail Dancers, given a song they sing, “Ch’a Aadéi Unatéeghaa,” a Lukaax.ádi Cry Song, often popularly known as the Tlingit National Anthem. 6 minutes, three songs.
Item 146: Audio recording of Klukwan elder George Stevens, of the Gaanaxteidí, discussing the origin of the Wolf Hat. 19 minutes.
Item 147: Audio recording labeled “Tlingit Song.” It contains one minute of unidentified women singing an unidentified song.
Item 148: Audio recording of Ed Kunz Sr. and Cecilia Kunz, possibly being interviewed by the BIA for place-name research, discussing Aak’w Kwáan (Juneau) place names and the clans that own them.
Item 149: Audio recording of Jenny Marks, Mrs. Bert Dennis, and others having an informal conversation in Tlingit.
Item 150: Audio recording labeled “Candy at Petersburg” in which one woman and one man discuss the basics of Tlingit culture for a classroom. Native educators and researchers of the Indian Education programs and the self-determination era may find this recording useful.
