WCA to conclude Shakes House tours this week

By Brian O’Connor

Sentinel writer

About thirty or forty tourists packed into the Chief Shakes House last Wednesday to take in the newly renovated house and learn about the sun, the moon, and the stars.

However, first they had to learn a little bit about Raven.

“Raven is considered a trickster,” interpreter Lu Knapp told the assembled crowd.

Raven in this case was the figure from Tlingit mythology, and the story Knapp told that afternoon concerns the chief and three boxes in the possession of a chief. In the story, Raven sneakily impregnates that chief’s daughter, and is reborn as the chief’s grandson and apple of his grandfather’s eye. The Raven child cries and fusses and refuses to eat in order to receive attention. Each time, the Raven is given one of the three boxes, and each time opens the box to release the sun, and the moon, and the stars, according to Tlingit lore.

“The sun went up into the sky and that’s how we got the light,” Knapp said.

The sightseers enjoyed the story, and stomped their feet and long wooden poles to show their approval.

The tour was part of the Wrangell Cooperative Association’s push to harness native culture to sightseeing to both promote and inform about Tlingit culture and also raise funds for the WCA’s local projects. The tours cover the basics about the Chief Shakes House and answer questions about Tlingit culture, costumes, and artwork.

“There’s a misconception out there that we do this only for the tourists,” said Carol Snoddy, a WCA official. “We do this for field trips, other trips like that for free. We do it really for anyone.”

According to estimates provided by the WCA, about 1,300 tourists alone have come through and been treated to traditional native greeting songs, dances, and explanations of the House’s carvings.

“It’s been a raving success,” said Ken Hoyt, who participated on this tour as a dancer and interpreter.

Back in the lodge, Lu Knapp was pointing out the entrance of the Shakes House to the gathered crowd.

“You may notice you have to bow your head when you come in,” she said. “That’s because if you weren’t a friendly visitor, someone would greet you.”

She made a striking motion with her staff, to laughter and the stomping of feet.

The tourists said they enjoyed the experience.

“It’s great,” said Ron Seidle, who made the trip from Toronto. “Quite frankly it’s a credit to people to keep the heritage going.”

Other tourists came from slightly further away, were no less impressed.

“I thought it was fantastic,” said Rick Brinckman, of Brisbane, Australia.

“It’s been awesome,” added Cindy Gray, also of Brisbane. “The people have been amazing.”

The last previously scheduled tour will take place today at the Chief Shakes House at 1:30 p.m.