Sealaska Heritage publishes start of comprehensive research on Tlingit clan crests

Whether it's the Naanyaa.aayí, Kaach.ádi, Taalkweidí or one of the six other Tlingit clans represented in Wrangell, each has a story of its origins, handed down over thousands of years. One organization is working to preserve those stories, as well as stories of all Southeast Alaska clans, as accurately as possible.

About two years ago, the Sealaska Heritage Institute began researching and compiling information on an initial six Tlingit clan crests and how they came to be. The work was published last month in the book "The Crests of Tlingit Clans."

It is the first-ever registry of Tlingit clan crests.

Chuck Smythe, the editor of the book, said information was gleaned through interviews and other sources, sometimes finding it by happenstance.

"We've found sources in literature, in some of our other publications and videos. We have recordings of clan leaders and spokespersons," he said. "We've done interviews on other topics, but they start talking about crests. We're trying to find the authoritative voices within each clan."

Sealaska Heritage Institute researchers have identified about 40 active Tlingit clans, Smythe said, with somewhere in the vicinity of 200 different crests, but that number could change as they conduct more research.

"We don't like to stand by those numbers because they're so large and we'll be working through it all a bit at a time," he said. Federal grant funds helped make the initial publication possible, focusing on six crests. Additional funding will be sought for the next six crests and so on.

If a large enough grant is secured, Smythe said they will expand the number of crests they include. Instead of adding volumes to the book, revisions will be made and released.

The six crests featured in the inaugural publication are Kaawashag̱i G̱ooch (Panting Wolf) Crest of the Kaagwaantaan clan; Tl'anaxéedáḵw (Wealth-Bringing Woman) Crest of the L'eeneidí clan; X̱'áakw (Fresh-Water-Marked Sockeye Salmon) Crest of the Lukaax̱.ádi clan; Xeitl (Thunderbird) Crest of the Shangukeidí clan; Ḵ'eiḵ'w (Kittiwake) Crest of the T'aḵdeintaan clan; and Tóos' (Shark) Crest of the Wooshkeetaan clan.

According to the book, clan crests were acquired by ancestors and represent "crucial encounters with animal persons and spiritual beings that determine the unique identity and character of clan members."

Crests can also depict significant historical events, whether ancient or modern, and can determine clans' land claims and they were "often acquired as payment for the life of an ancestor, usually the ancestor who was involved in the event."

Wrangell's clans will be included, but when is undecided.

"Wrangell is definitely on our list," Smythe said. "Naanyaa.aayí is on our list. That's an important one, as many crests can be identified with their origin."

Naanyaa.aayí is the clan descended from Chief Shakes. The other Wrangell clans are Kayaashkeiditaan, Sik'nax.ádi and Xook'eidí of the Wolf/Eagle moiety, and Kaach.ádi, Kaasx'agweidí, Kiks.ádi, Taalkweidí and Teeyhíttaan of the Raven moiety.

The information gathered by Smythe and his team will be put into digital format and will be made available to the clans so that there will always be an historical record that cannot be lost, which can be vital for clans.

"I think it's pretty important," said Richard Tashee Rinehart, the leader of the Kiks.ádi, whose crest is the frog. "We have a thing, generally known as a potlatch. We had one when my Aunt Marge passed away. In those, as clan leaders, we tell our clan history so that everybody knows."

But, Rinehart pointed out, having a written and digitized account would be preferable, especially for accuracy.

"I think it would be really cool if you can link in the (digital) stories (to audio or video)," he said. "Where did we get the frog stories? Why do we think this land is ours?"

"The Crests of the Tlingit Clans" is available on the Sealaska Heritage Institute website at https://sealaska-heritage-store.myshopify.com and on Amazon for $10.

Smythe encourages any clan members with archival information, whether in written form, tape recordings, reel-to-reel or any other source, to contact him at chuck.smythe@sealaska.com or archivist Emily Pastore at emily.pastore@sealaska.com.