Lesson 1
The
Tlingit live in the northern part of the
West
Totem
pole
potlatch
Tlingit
Cultural Region
Juneau, Alaska
Tlingit:
Native
Americans who live
along the southeastern
coast of Alaska and the
northern coast of British
Columbia in Canada
Tlingit
Cultural Region is heavily influenced
by Tlingit culture
Region
is rich in natural resources
Forests, fish, and game
Hunted for deer and seals
Fished for salmon
Wood to build large homes
Totem
poles
A tall post carved with images of
people and animals
Carved for doorways and outside of
homes
Brightly painted
Represent family history
Timber
Used
to make homes in winter
Smaller wooden homes in summer
Near fishing and hunting grounds
Carved canoes for fishing and
hunting
Traded
fish and game
Made and traded goods
Canoes, blankets, copper tools and
ornaments
Baskets and seal oil
Traded with large network of Native
Americans
Chilkat
blanket
Woven from dyed wool of mountain
goats and sheep
Colorful with designs of shapes and
animals
Designs tell stories
One of the most prized Tlingit
goods
Potlatch:
feast
Celebrates weddings, births, deaths
Shows family importance
Over 100 guests sometimes
Held by many NW Native Americans
Practiced for many years before
settlement
Traditions
Host
gives gifts like canoes and
blankets
Host and guests make speeches
Guests wear carved masks and
dance
Provide large amounts of food
Feasts last up to 12 days
Guests take food home to share
Still
held in modern Tlingit culture
Speeches, dancing, feasts
Gifts
money
Held
and household goods
on the weekend
Do not miss work or school
Some
live on the same land
Stayed where ancestors are from
Jobs
Logging and fishing
Modern villages
Combine traditions with modern
life
Central
Council of the Tlingit and Haida
Indian Tribes of Alaska
Governs Tlingit and Haida tribes
Sealaska Corporation
Tlingit and other Native American tribes
Build new buildings for the Tlingit
Protects Tlingit property
Ensures that tribe has enough money
and land for the future