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Press Release
May 22, 2008
(Radio Actualities)
SHI TO SPONSOR DNA TESTS TO
FIND DESCENDANTS OF 10,300 YEAR OLD MAN
Remains of ancient man are the oldest ever found in Alaska and Canada
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor DNA testing during Celebration 2008 to determine if a young Native man who lived 10,300 years ago has living descendants in Southeast Alaska.
Information from the DNA samples will be compared to DNA extracted from the remains, which were discovered by a paleontologist in 1996 in a cave on Prince of Wales Island. Studies authorized by local tribes linked the remains to Native people living in areas from California to South America, said SHI President Rosita Worl. SHI’s Council of Traditional Scholars and its Celebration Committee authorized the DNA study to determine if he is related to Southeast Alaska Natives, she said.
“It will scientifically prove that we’ve been here for 10 thousand years. Our own people always say we have lived in Southeast Alaska since time immemorial. But beyond that, I think it would be very exciting to identify the kin who may have survived,” said Worl, noting the Native concept of Haa Shágoon (Tlingit), Íitl' Kuníisii (Haida), and Hlaagigyadm (Tsimshian) unites Native people to their ancestors and to future generations.
Lead Researcher Dr. Brian Kemp from Washington State University and a team of colleagues will collect DNA samples in the lobby of Centennial Hall during Celebration, June 5-7. Kemp and his colleagues also spearheaded DNA research on the human remains, and their findings were reported last year in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.
Native people who want to participate will sign a consent form authorizing use of their genetic material for the study. Scientists will collect DNA by swabbing the inside of participants’ cheeks. The results of the study may be published or presented at professional meetings but the identities of the participants will remain anonymous. SHI will contact any individuals whose DNA is linked to the ancient remains.
Scientists also will use the results to study the genetic variation among Alaska Natives and other indigenous populations, to learn about the genetic continuity of populations in Alaska and their relationships to other indigenous populations and to reconstruct population history. The study will not be used for any commercial enterprise or DNA studies that may adversely affect participants, said Worl, noting SHI had a hand in writing the consent form to ensure the interests of Native people were protected.
Worl cautioned study may not identify any DNA markers in people living today because DNA disappears from populations very quickly. The absence of a match would not mean a connection does not exist, it may mean too much time has passed to establish a connection through DNA testing, she said.
Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private, nonprofit founded in 1981 to administer cultural and educational programs for Sealaska Corporation. The institute is governed by an all-Native Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars. Its mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska.
CONTACT: Rosita Worl, SHI President, 907-463-4844; Dr. Brian Kemp,
Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology and the School of
Biological Sciences, Washington State University, 509-335-6351
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Rosita Worl, SHI President, TRT: :19
“It will
scientifically prove that we’ve been here for 10 thousand years. Our own people always say we have lived in Southeast Alaska since time immemorial. But beyond that, I think it would be very exciting to identify the kin who may have survived.” (mpeg) (wav)