Lingit Introduction

My Path

Who am I? Most people answer this question with a simple response "I am Joseff" or "My name is..." One’s name does not describe or tell one’s history or where we come from. This short question is complex. For me, it tells of a story of old, of new, of future. It is a path.

My path to excellence is the importance of education and culture. The path is crucial for further education. This world looks at how intelligent someone is. It does not matter if it is in science, math, teaching, or Lingit. Being well educated in any subject is the path to any successful life. To be an expert is the drive to go beyond any, in your field. This path begins with respect. Showing honor to all living things is what respect looks like. "How would you want to be treated," my parents and grandparents would say. To never say anything behind one’s back, neither good nor bad. Respect informs people you are not better than they, and you are ready to learn from them. Education is needed. An understanding of different people other than the people around you will better yourself in communicating with others. Knowing who you are opens your eyes to the world.

My path to excellence is the value of culture. Being a person gives you a culture. I am Lingit, which means "Human being," not Alaskan Native or Indian. Culture is how you live, how you see the world, and how you think. It makes you who you are. "Consider your stumbling blocks as stepping stones." Making mistakes is good because they are a learning tool, but as long as you do not make the same ones. That is the key point. History, the past of your people, is for learning what they knew, how they use the land, and how they treat each other. Learn from their mistakes too, not just your own. The past is like a looking glass. Never live in the past, but view it like a book or a map to consider where you have been to know where you are going. Know where you are in life so you know where you are going. Always have a backup plan because chances are, things won’t go the way you want them to. Your future may be in 5 days or 5 years. The future is your children and grandchildren, give them a map of where to go. Show them the path for their people.

Culture is who you are and education takes you beyond. Before you walk you have to learn to crawl. If you do not know who you are how are you expected to go anywhere? The base is the strength of any structure. I am making my base strong and advise you to do the same. Do it the way you like it. This is the path of excellence: Knowing your history; past; present; and future is; It makes you who you are. Haa Shagoon.

Koodeik’ yoo xat duwasaakw. My name is Koodeik

Kaagwaantaan aya xat. I am Kaagwaantaan

Lukaax. Adi yadi xat sitee. I am a child of the Lukaax. Adi

Kaagwaantaan dachxan xat sitee. I am a grandchild of the kaagwaantaan

Gaanaxteidi dachxanx xat sitee ax tlaa yeenaanax. I am the grandchild of the Gaanaxteidi on , my mother’s side

Tsoo chookaneidi dachxan aya xat ax eesh yeenaanax. I am the grandchild of the Chookaneidi

, on my father’s side.

Leegooshi hit dax-x xat sitee. My house is Leegooshi hit. (Dorsal fin house)

Tlak’w aan kwaan aya xat. I come from Tlak’w Aan

Haa at.oowu aya Gooch ka Ch’aak’x sitee. My at.oow is the Wolf and Eagle

Gunalcheesh

Cultural Mapping

Cultural mapping is important for knowing the Kwaans of each tribe or clan and learning what the name means. Each clan has it's own area of hunting, fishing, gathering, and living. By claiming the land it becomes their own, a knowing that there clan will servive. The claim they have on the land was not just anywhere, but rich and plentiful areas, with food such as king salmon, seal, and berries. The place where the Lingit people settles gave it a name, a meaning full one. Names such as Weineidiyan meaning "Place to take it easy a while" and Aanchgaltsoow meaning "land where we came from," are all examples of the importance of names. These names tell the person hearing the name what is there or what to do when they get there, in addition to describing the place. Names where also history in the particular area. They have stories to with their claimed area. Today, people are using knowledge of yesterday with knowledge of today. We learned how to use GPSs while we were here at camp and make maps. So, in conclusion, the Lingit people were logical in naming their land, opposed to naming it after people which told someone nothing about the place.

My Lingit Name

Koodeik' yoo xat duwasakw Lingit x'einax
Dleit Kaa Joseff Marks yoo xat duwasakw.
translation:
My Lingit Name is Koodeik'. My "white man" name is Joseff Marks

I am on the right hand side of the picture in the green sweater. My older brother is in the middle in the cap and gown. The one on the far left is my litter brother.

Koodeik' is a very common name in my culture, because some names in each clan have been lost . However, I was named after my great uncle and that name has been past down through my family.

Because so many people have been named this, the meaning of it is unknown. For example, the lady that had named me also named my Clan brother Koodeik', for reasons I know not. So far I have come across three different people with this name. The same with my little brother. He and my other clan brother both have the name Yanalcheen.

On the other hand, my older brother has a strong name. He has a leaders name given to him by one of my uncles and passed down the line like an object.

So names in the Lingit culture are similar to English names in a way. For example a mother might call their child a name because they like it or name them after someone like an uncle or auntie or even the grandparents. One important thing to remember is that names are like objects in a house of a clan. They are at.oow ( that in which is paid for) and only that specific clan can use it unless given permission otherwise.

Gunalcheesh.