There was a light mist in the air as I walked across the wooden bridge…
By Mia Wiederspohn Yeil Dlaak’
This story was produced for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership's monthly column with the Juneau Empire, 'Resilient Peoples & Place.' Read the full story here. The story highlights the 2022 Sharing Our Knowledge Conference, which was filmed and documented with SASS funding.
Those gathered on the beach at Anan Creek, joined in song with Virginia Oliver leading on drum, were among the 42 people from the conference who joined the tour of the cultural sites there, led by archeologists of the U.S. Forest Service. (Peter Metcalfe / Sharing Our Knowledge Conference)
There was a light mist in the air as I walked across the wooden bridge that leads to the Chief Shakes Clan House located along the shoreline of my home, Ḵaachx̱aana.áakʼw Wrangell. One by one, I followed as people ducked in through the Clan House entryway to come in from the rain and join together for the Warming of the Hands ceremony, the opening welcome to the 2022 Sharing Our Knowledge Conference (Wooshteen Kanaxhtulaneegí Has At Wuskóowu). The Stikine Ḵwaan clan leaders stood at the front of the full house, first introducing themselves, then welcoming the visitors to Wrangell. They proudly welcomed the Inland Lingít who had traveled down from the interior. They responded, filling the room with a loud and full “Gunalchéesh!” (thank you) that eased the room into an atmosphere of respect.
The story is also available at the Sustainable Southeast Partnership's website: https://sustainablesoutheast.net/when-a-time-for-peace-is-facilitated-through-partnership/