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