Published by Sealaska Heritage Institute, "Baby Eagle" is an illustrated book aimed at teaching youngsters about the different clans of the Tlingit Eagle moiety. It was one of 19 educational reads produced during the Baby Raven Reads program's first three-year grant cycle.
Wrangell's Head Start program will be opening its doors to families Friday evening as part of a recent educational collaboration between Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Tlingit and Haida Central Council (CCTHITA).
The Baby Raven Reads program uses a combination of storytelling, songs and interactive activities to promote literacy and school readiness for Alaska Native families with children ages five years and under. At first started for the Juneau area as a pilot program in 2014, for its second three-year grant Baby Raven Reads has been extended to nine other communities in Southeast Alaska.
Wrangell has been included in this round of programming, which is coordinated through CCTHITA's Head Start
program. Each year over the grant's life, each community is scheduled to see nine such literacy events. Held at the Head Start building across from Evergreen Elementary School from 6 to 8 p.m., tomorrow's event will be the second so far hosted locally.
This session's theme will be on colors, with an accompanying book by writer Yarrow Vaara and artist David Lang demonstrating how Tlingit words for colors are based on referential comparisons to nature. The book and related activities will be an introduction to the concept and the vocabulary.
One result of the program's first round was the development and publication of 19 such children's books over several years. Two of the stories released last year are "Baby Raven" and "Baby Eagle," which teach new readers the English and Tlingit words for different clan crests within the two moieties. Other stories are similarly rooted in the environment and cultures native to the region, including the Haida and Tsimshian.
"It's been a mix of original stories and adaptations of existing stories," explained Katrina Hotch program manager for Baby Raven Reads.
Another nine books will be produced as part of the program, three per year through 2020. For the first batch, Hotch said a committee reviewed story proposals submitted last November and will be selecting new artists and writers to collaborate on their development.
Wrangell Head Start instructor
Sandy Churchill explained the literacy program fits in well with her classwork, which has been teaching Tlingit vocabulary and cultural to preschoolers for years.
Hotch said Head Start was an ideal partner for her program, as both aim to improve literacy skills and prepare young children for grade school.
Baby Raven Reads tries to improve early literacy skills by translating cultural strengths into home literacy practices, and provides support
services and resources to preschool educators.
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