Collection:
Juneau—Douglas City Museum
Object ID:
2003.53.010
Accession#:
2003.53
Credit Line:
Donated by Sally Smith.
Object Name:
Kerchief
Title:
WHITEBEAR Ku Eex potlatch bandanna gift
Date:
01/28/2003
Description:
Black and White hankerchief commemorating Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School in Juneau hosted a ku.eex, or potlatch, as a culminating event after a semester—long study of one of the most divisive issues in Alaska today: Alaska Native subsistence rights. Guests were greeted by students and given an embroidered bandanna as a gift Embroidered in black: Whitebear Ku.Eex, January 28, 2003.
Notes:
Southeast Region: The White Bear Project
“Look to the Past, Act in the Present,
Plan for the Future”
by Devin Jones
On January 28, Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School in Juneau hosted a ku.eex, or potlatch, as a culminating event after a semester—long study of one of the most divisive issues in Alaska today: Alaska Native subsistence rights.
Thanks to generous donations from the Douglas Island Indian Association and Tlingit and Haida Association, we served a variety of Southeast Alaska fare to over 250 people that day: 200 pounds of King Salmon, 100 pounds of halibut, 35 pounds of crab, 35 pounds of prawns and a wide array of potluck dishes prepared by parents and friends.
The food prepared by students and parent volunteers was delicious, but the real focus of the event was to celebrate and share our students’ work with an audience of policy makers and stakeholders in the subsistence debate. Our guest list was formed with this purpose in mind. Clearly one of the major obstacles in the way of a solution to the subsistence issue is finding a way to bring together all the stakeholders to continue a dialogue towards a solution. To the extent that the White Bear Project helped bring people with different opinions on the subsistence issue together, we are very pleased.
Many elected officials and community leaders graciously accepted our invitation and were present that day. Juneau’s Alaska Native community honored us with their attendance. Present were many Elders and political organization leaders: Ben Cornell, Bob Loescher, Rosa Miller, Beatrice Brown, Sasha and Stella Soboleff, Ronalda Cadiente, Nora Dauenhauer, Emma Marks, Florence Sheakley and Ed Thomas among others. U.S. Senator Nancy Murkowski and Lt. Governor Loren Leman represented the governor’s office. Members of the current legislature in attendance were Beth Kerttula, Mary Kapsner, Donald Olsen, Robin Phillips, Nancy Barns, Kim Elton, Bill Williams and Bruce Weyhrauch. Juneau Mayor Sally Smith attended from the city and borough of Juneau and the Juneau School District was well represented by Mr. Gary Bader and Ms. Peggy Cowan. There were many Dzantik’i Heeni parents who made time in their busy schedules to join us as well. Our 63 seventh— and eighth—grade students assumed the roles of chefs, servers, greeters, project attendants and clean—up crews.
Guests were greeted by students at the school’s entrance, given an embroidered bandanna as a gift and escorted to their seats. Very shortly thereafter, student waiters presented an overflowing plate of food and attended to our guests’ every need. In this situation and throughout the ku.eek, to the best of our collective knowledge we strived to follow traditional Tlingit protocol for an event of this nature.
After Mr. Morse conducted introductions of the many distinguished guests, the ku.eek ceremonies began. The Dzantik’i Heeni dancers, under the guidance of Greg Brown, started off with a performance of several songs and dances that captivated the audience, many of whom joined the exit dance. Lead singer and drummer, young Cassandra Jerue, mesmerized the crowd with her vibrant voice and the pride with which the group performed was clearly evident.
Following the singing and dancing, a blanket dedication ceremony was conducted. With the help of Ms. Jodie Buck, Dzantik’i Heeni Home Economics teacher, students constructed a large felt blanket, 20 by 30 feet in size, with a wolverine stencil design that was commissioned for this project. The blanket was presented by the students to the audience and then accepted on behalf of Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School by principal Les Morse. The Wolverine blanket will be permanently displayed in the school commons area so that many people will have a chance to appreciate this beautiful piece of artwork.
Next came the adoption ceremony. Dzantik’I Heeni cultural heritage educator, Greg Brown, adopted three Dzantik’I Heeni teachers—Jodie Buck, Steve Morley and Devin Jones—into the Teikweidi (Brown Bear) tribe. We were each given a Tlingit name, handed down over generations. To be adopted by the Tlingit—the people of the tides—was truly an honor for all of us.
When the ceremonies concluded, our guests were invited to view the students’ work and ask questions of students attending their project displays. A very popular display was the work with a community survey. Students gathered information using a questionnaire to help answer our research questions: (1) To what extent do Juneau residents support a subsistence preference for Alaska Native people during times of fish and game shortage? (2) To what extent are Juneau residents knowledgeable about subsistence issues?
Fourteen color charts visually reported the results of 650 Juneau residents’ responses to our survey instrument. Students written interpretations of what the graphs said about our research questions were also on display. Letters to students from Alaska legislators answering questions and stating their positions on the subsistence debate formed another portion of the project. One letter in particular drew attention from several guests. It came from Governor Frank Murkowski. In a reply written to seventh—grade student Amy Reid, the governor answered her questions and then proceeded to outline his position on the subsistence issue, to the best of my knowledge, for the very first time as the newly elected governor of the state of Alaska. Just a few days before, the governor had barely mentioned the topic of subsistence in his State—of—the—State address. I had to smile when we were dismantling the project displays and Amy said to me, “Do I get to keep this letter?”
At the end of the afternoon several students gave away handmade gifts to our guests. Senator Murkowski was the recipient of a painted brown bear on deerskin, framed for wall display. Lt. Governor Leman received a four—foot long, painted, cedar canoe paddle. Others enjoyed receiving small gifts as well. Indeed, the theme of giving to others was a large part of this event.
From the beginning planning meetings over one year ago, we all acknowledged it would take a dedicated team of people to make this course of study and our culminating event successful. We clearly recognized our strength was the sum of student, parent, teacher, administrative and community support. I would especially like to acknowledge the guidance of my E—mentor, Ms. Nancy Ratner, from the subsistence division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Ms. Ratner and I formed our partnership in the fall, and with the financial and logistical support of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Math and Science (SACNAS), we combined the expertise of a scientist with specialized knowledge of subsistence information and a teacher to help relay this complicated information to middle school students in the classroom. We are all sincerely grateful to the dedicated staff at SACNAS for their continued support of students and teachers in the Juneau School District.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank the Elders who came to our classrooms or joined us on field trips to speak about what subsistence means to them and also about the concept and importance of respect in Tlingit culture. Gunalcheesh: Walter Soboleff, Archie Cavanaugh, Anna Katzeek, Ben Coronell, Emma Marks, Ethel Lund, Florence Sheakley, Frank Miller, Greg Brown, Jim Marks, John Lyman, Judy Brown, Marie Olsen, Mike Turek, Rosa Miller, Sergius Sheakley and Wayne Nicols. Our studies were deeply enriched by their knowledge of and wisdom about subsistence and Tlingit culture.
I believe that partnerships and teamwork guided us to fairly, accurately and thoroughly conduct our study of subsistence issues. The success of the White Bear Project and Dzantik’i Heeni’s first ku.eex was truly the result of a collective effort. Gunalcheesh to everyone involved.
“Look to the Past, Act in the Present,
Plan for the Future”
by Devin Jones
On January 28, Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School in Juneau hosted a ku.eex, or potlatch, as a culminating event after a semester—long study of one of the most divisive issues in Alaska today: Alaska Native subsistence rights.
Thanks to generous donations from the Douglas Island Indian Association and Tlingit and Haida Association, we served a variety of Southeast Alaska fare to over 250 people that day: 200 pounds of King Salmon, 100 pounds of halibut, 35 pounds of crab, 35 pounds of prawns and a wide array of potluck dishes prepared by parents and friends.
The food prepared by students and parent volunteers was delicious, but the real focus of the event was to celebrate and share our students’ work with an audience of policy makers and stakeholders in the subsistence debate. Our guest list was formed with this purpose in mind. Clearly one of the major obstacles in the way of a solution to the subsistence issue is finding a way to bring together all the stakeholders to continue a dialogue towards a solution. To the extent that the White Bear Project helped bring people with different opinions on the subsistence issue together, we are very pleased.
Many elected officials and community leaders graciously accepted our invitation and were present that day. Juneau’s Alaska Native community honored us with their attendance. Present were many Elders and political organization leaders: Ben Cornell, Bob Loescher, Rosa Miller, Beatrice Brown, Sasha and Stella Soboleff, Ronalda Cadiente, Nora Dauenhauer, Emma Marks, Florence Sheakley and Ed Thomas among others. U.S. Senator Nancy Murkowski and Lt. Governor Loren Leman represented the governor’s office. Members of the current legislature in attendance were Beth Kerttula, Mary Kapsner, Donald Olsen, Robin Phillips, Nancy Barns, Kim Elton, Bill Williams and Bruce Weyhrauch. Juneau Mayor Sally Smith attended from the city and borough of Juneau and the Juneau School District was well represented by Mr. Gary Bader and Ms. Peggy Cowan. There were many Dzantik’i Heeni parents who made time in their busy schedules to join us as well. Our 63 seventh— and eighth—grade students assumed the roles of chefs, servers, greeters, project attendants and clean—up crews.
Guests were greeted by students at the school’s entrance, given an embroidered bandanna as a gift and escorted to their seats. Very shortly thereafter, student waiters presented an overflowing plate of food and attended to our guests’ every need. In this situation and throughout the ku.eek, to the best of our collective knowledge we strived to follow traditional Tlingit protocol for an event of this nature.
After Mr. Morse conducted introductions of the many distinguished guests, the ku.eek ceremonies began. The Dzantik’i Heeni dancers, under the guidance of Greg Brown, started off with a performance of several songs and dances that captivated the audience, many of whom joined the exit dance. Lead singer and drummer, young Cassandra Jerue, mesmerized the crowd with her vibrant voice and the pride with which the group performed was clearly evident.
Following the singing and dancing, a blanket dedication ceremony was conducted. With the help of Ms. Jodie Buck, Dzantik’i Heeni Home Economics teacher, students constructed a large felt blanket, 20 by 30 feet in size, with a wolverine stencil design that was commissioned for this project. The blanket was presented by the students to the audience and then accepted on behalf of Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School by principal Les Morse. The Wolverine blanket will be permanently displayed in the school commons area so that many people will have a chance to appreciate this beautiful piece of artwork.
Next came the adoption ceremony. Dzantik’I Heeni cultural heritage educator, Greg Brown, adopted three Dzantik’I Heeni teachers—Jodie Buck, Steve Morley and Devin Jones—into the Teikweidi (Brown Bear) tribe. We were each given a Tlingit name, handed down over generations. To be adopted by the Tlingit—the people of the tides—was truly an honor for all of us.
When the ceremonies concluded, our guests were invited to view the students’ work and ask questions of students attending their project displays. A very popular display was the work with a community survey. Students gathered information using a questionnaire to help answer our research questions: (1) To what extent do Juneau residents support a subsistence preference for Alaska Native people during times of fish and game shortage? (2) To what extent are Juneau residents knowledgeable about subsistence issues?
Fourteen color charts visually reported the results of 650 Juneau residents’ responses to our survey instrument. Students written interpretations of what the graphs said about our research questions were also on display. Letters to students from Alaska legislators answering questions and stating their positions on the subsistence debate formed another portion of the project. One letter in particular drew attention from several guests. It came from Governor Frank Murkowski. In a reply written to seventh—grade student Amy Reid, the governor answered her questions and then proceeded to outline his position on the subsistence issue, to the best of my knowledge, for the very first time as the newly elected governor of the state of Alaska. Just a few days before, the governor had barely mentioned the topic of subsistence in his State—of—the—State address. I had to smile when we were dismantling the project displays and Amy said to me, “Do I get to keep this letter?”
At the end of the afternoon several students gave away handmade gifts to our guests. Senator Murkowski was the recipient of a painted brown bear on deerskin, framed for wall display. Lt. Governor Leman received a four—foot long, painted, cedar canoe paddle. Others enjoyed receiving small gifts as well. Indeed, the theme of giving to others was a large part of this event.
From the beginning planning meetings over one year ago, we all acknowledged it would take a dedicated team of people to make this course of study and our culminating event successful. We clearly recognized our strength was the sum of student, parent, teacher, administrative and community support. I would especially like to acknowledge the guidance of my E—mentor, Ms. Nancy Ratner, from the subsistence division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Ms. Ratner and I formed our partnership in the fall, and with the financial and logistical support of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Math and Science (SACNAS), we combined the expertise of a scientist with specialized knowledge of subsistence information and a teacher to help relay this complicated information to middle school students in the classroom. We are all sincerely grateful to the dedicated staff at SACNAS for their continued support of students and teachers in the Juneau School District.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank the Elders who came to our classrooms or joined us on field trips to speak about what subsistence means to them and also about the concept and importance of respect in Tlingit culture. Gunalcheesh: Walter Soboleff, Archie Cavanaugh, Anna Katzeek, Ben Coronell, Emma Marks, Ethel Lund, Florence Sheakley, Frank Miller, Greg Brown, Jim Marks, John Lyman, Judy Brown, Marie Olsen, Mike Turek, Rosa Miller, Sergius Sheakley and Wayne Nicols. Our studies were deeply enriched by their knowledge of and wisdom about subsistence and Tlingit culture.
I believe that partnerships and teamwork guided us to fairly, accurately and thoroughly conduct our study of subsistence issues. The success of the White Bear Project and Dzantik’i Heeni’s first ku.eex was truly the result of a collective effort. Gunalcheesh to everyone involved.
People:
Smith, Sally
Search Terms:
subsistence
education
school
celebration
education
school
celebration
Click to Enlarge
