Haa Léelk’u Hás Haa Éet Aawlitoo.át

A monthly radio show helping to keep Tlingit stories alive through storytelling and education. Hosted by Daanax.ils’eik (Chuck Miller).

Join us as we celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Southeast Alaska. The radio version airs live on air the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW (KCAW.org) in Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW, Raven Radio (KCAW.ORG).

Episodes

Episode 12 - To Live A Good Life

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, host Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller) dives deep into an issue that faces all communities, substance abuse. Alcohol had an acute onset in Alaska with the arrival of stampeders, miners, and traders so there wasn’t a lot of time to create social, legal, or moral codes around its’ use. In response, communities turned to elders for guidance on these issues. We hear from Shaaganastaa (Bob Sam) as he shares a traditional Tlingit story about the harms of substance abuse. We also learn from Ixht’ik’ Éesh (Steve Johnson) and Lakota Harden and shares some songs from the archives.

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Episode 11 - We Are Our Grandfather's Abalone Earrings

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, we continue to explore the important impact that the Sitka Native Education Program (SNEP) has on the native youth in the Sitka Area. Hosted by Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller) and featuring interviews with SNEP instructors Dorothy Gordon & Lakrisha Johnson as well as current SNEP students Naomi Miller & Julio. We also hear archival tape from Kaal.atk (Charlie Joseph Sr.), songs from SNEP participants, and a poem from Gaaw (Pauline Duncan).

Episode 10 - Herring

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, our host Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller) talks with guests Ixt'ik' Eesh (Steve Johnson) & Kit Koon (Charlie Skultka Jr.) about Yaaw (Herring), its harvesting, and the importance to the community. Steve tells a story about Raven & Herring and Gaaw (Pauline Duncan) also shares poem about the herring.

Episode 9 - Clan Houses of Sitka

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, our host Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller) provides us with some insight about the Clan Houses of Sitka from their origins to current issues. We will hear some clan house dedication songs as well as hear. We will also explore archival tape of revered elder Kaal.atk (Charlie Joseph Sr) giveing us a glimpse into the past and what Sheet’Ka looked like over the last decade.

Episode 8 - The Legacy of the Sitka Native Education Program

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, our host Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller) shares about the Sitka Native Education Program (SNEP) that was started in the 1970s. We will hear about the founders of SNEP and its history from the beginning. We will also hear from a few of the programs first students, Kaax'áxooskaa (Lillian Young) and Kichnaalxh (Larry Garrity), and the impact SNEP had on them. Included, you will hear songs from the Gajaa Heen Dance group and some archived stories. Please tune in and join us as we learn about this rich way of life.

Episode 7 - After the Harvest

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, our host Chuck Miller explains how winter fits into the cycle of Tlingit way of life. Autumn is for hard work during the harvesting season and after the harvest, in December, is a time of reflection, community sharing and storytelling. In this episode we get back to traditional storytelling with the help of our guest speaking, Shaagunaastaa (Bob Sam), an iconic Tlingit storyteller who has traveled across the U.S and Europe sharing legends and Tlingit history for a wide audience. We will also hear from the archives from one of the most revered Tlingit elders from the 1970s as well as songs from the Kaagaanwaan and Kiks’adi clans and some reflections. Please join us and we hope you enjoy this rich history.

Episode 6 - Origin Stories: “Will the Time Ever Come?”

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, we will hear from Koowaayeik (Kathy Hope-Erickson) and her brother Gerry Hope as they share about their late brother Andrew Hope III and his life’s work uncovering the historical migratory patterns of the Coastal People that were the first inhabitants of Southeast Alaska. Listen to learn about how our iconic volcano (Mt Edgecumbe) was a beacon for traveling Tlingit tribes. Our host, Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller), will share the legend of the first encounters with the People from Under the Clouds. Please join us as we share our origins through interviews, legends, and songs. We hope you enjoy it. Gunalcheesh.

Episode 5 - Healing History: Alaska Day Under A New Lens

This episode of Our Grandparent’s Teaching's explores the Alaskan holiday of Reconciliation Day or otherwise known as Alaska Day on October 18th. This date commemorates the sale of Alaska from Russia to the United States. We hear from our host, Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller), and guest speakers X'asheech Tlaa (Louise Brady) and Matt Jackson about their views on the impact this sale had on Native Alaskan communities and whether it was even a legal transaction. We will also hear from our archives, a few songs and a poem by Pauline Duncan. Please join us as we explore a sale that changed the course of history in Alaska.

Episode 4 - Restorative Justice

This episode of Our Grandparents Teachings explores the concept of Restorative Justice. We hear our host, Daanax.ils’eik (Chuck Miller), share his experiences with Peacemaking Ceremonies and the importance of the Guwakaan (deer). He will share some archived recordings of peacemaking songs from the 1970s and then we will hear from local artist and restorative justice facilitator, Cayla Pook. Cayla shares her experiences with restorative justice in her work here in Sitka and how her practices were influenced by learning from her elders. Gunalcheesh!

Episode 3 - Salmon

This episode of Our Grandparents' Teachings celebrates the summer harvest of Salmon, Xáat. We will hear from Herman Davis as he shares memories of salmon fishing over the years. Our host, Chuck Miller, will share the legends of salmon boy and when Raven released the fish. You will hear a few archival recordings of a Coho song and a Kaagwaantan song as well as a poem written by Pauline Duncan.

Episode 2 - Strong Alaska Native Women

This episode explores the legacy of Alaska Native Women and the strength and leadership they have provided within mushing, politics, education and advocacy. We will hear from Sitka’s Crystal Duncan as she leads us through the “Honoring Elizabeth Peratrovich” Project and the many legacies of the women who followed in her footsteps. One of those women being Pauline Duncan who will share a poem she wrote. Included in this episode are multiple songs composed by our host, Chuck Miller. The episode finishes with revered elder, Ethel Makinen, as she shares the Loonk Legend recorded in the 1970.

Episode 1 - Storytelling

Welcome to the first episode of a new storytelling program produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW, Raven Radio. Daanax.ils’eik (Chuck Miller) will host “Our Grandparents’ Teachings”. This program will help keep Tlingit stories alive through storytelling and education. Join us as we celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Southeast Alaska.

Our Grandparent's Teachings