The "Tlingit National Anthem" retold By Robert Willard Jr.
appeared in the book "Stronghearts: Native American Visions and
Voices," published by Aperture, summer 1995 issue. The Tlingit
National Anthem was finally sung at a potlatch in 1975, after
being outlawed by the goverment at the turn of the century.
Our story takes place during the last great ice age in North
American over 60,000 years ago. Our home since the begining of
human history and time has always been North America.
Today 5 Tlingit communties are Landless. These are Seet Kah
(Petersburg), Kaachxana aakw (Wrangell), Deishu (Haines), Teinaa
Geey (Tenakee Springs), and Kichxaan (Ketchikan).
The "Tlingit National Anthem" was put in "Stronghearts" in support
of the Landless Tlingits.
"The Tlingit National Anthem" retold By Robert Willard Jr.
This is the story of the Tlingit National Anthem, a song that
entwines our people with their past and keeps our ancient heritage
alive. At potlatch ceremonies, Tlingit elders sing the anthem and
tell how it came about--for many years in secret, for this ritual
was long forbidden by the government--always passing the story on
to the new generations.
Long ago, the Tlingit Indians lived in the area now called British
Columbia and the Yukon Territory. They decided to move from this
region of lakes to the great ocean--now called the Pacific--where
they heard the fish were abundant. When all of the clans had
assembled, they began a great trek through the mountain canyons
leading to the sea.
After many, many miles, the way was blocked by a glacier that
filled the canyon. To go back in search of a different route would
be a long and wasting journey, so the leaders, both, women and
men, climbed the mountain to look for a safe way around the ice;
there was none. But they saw a stream, flowing from the narrow
mouth of the glacier, which emptied into a great bay on the
distant side.
The passage under the glacier seemed too dangerous, the ice
caverns too narrow to pass through. Determined to continue the
migration to the ocean, the leaders met to plot a new course.
Then, four woman stepped forward and volunteered to journey
beneath the glacier. Two were barren, one was a widow, and the
fourth was well along in years. Because the women had no children
to nurture and protect, the leaders agreed to their risky plan. So
the men built a raft of logs and the woman set forth early next
morning. With renewed hopes the leaders once again climbed the
mountain, keeping watch all morning and into the afternoon.
Toward evening, they heard distant voices calling from the bay. It
was the four woman, waving their arms and shouting "We made it, we
made it through, under the ice." Then the youngest and strongest
of the Tlingits set out for the other side. When they arrived,
they began building large boats for the next part of the journey,
and explored the region beyond the glacier for a safe place
abundant in resources.
Then, all of the Tlingit people followed behind them. After three
days and three nights, they came through the ice caverns. So they
set up camps and rested.
The next day, the people asked the great spirit to be with them.
They decided to row in all directions and settle as much
unoccupied territory as possible. It was a sad, sad day as the
people sang good-bye to their uncles and aunts and cousins and
friends. They wept as they rowed, but it was the beginning of the
Tlingit Nation, which today occupies more than twenty-three
million aces of land and water in Southeast Alaska.
My name is Graywolf (Western Band Cherokee). I'm posting a
message from the Landless Tlingits from my computer for them.
For more information, contact Jesse Cooday
c/o Gray Wolf (WAYA90@gnn.com)
--- Posted on behalf of the landless Tlingits of Alaska by Ben Chitty, NY/VVAW (abcqc@cunyvm.cuny.edu)