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Press Release
Dec. 6, 2004
SEALASKA HERITAGE PUBLISHES TLINGIT STORY BOOK
Sealaska Heritage
Institute has published a Tlingit story book designed to teach the
language to children.
Shanyaak’utlaax, known in English as “Moldy End,” is about a
young boy who shows disrespect to the Salmon People by throwing away a
piece of fish. The Salmon People bring him into their world where he
lives for a number of years, until one day he reaches his family’s
stream. He returns home a changed young man who has acquired a deep
respect and appreciation for the Salmon People.
The book is an abbreviated version of a traditional story, which has many more details and adventures. The institute simplified the tale so it can be used to teach Tlingit to children new to the language. As students learn the vocabulary they will graduate to the longer, more complex version of the story. The story also introduces children to Tlingit cultural values and traditions. SHI also is planning to develop a curriculum guide for teachers to accompany the text.
The book was edited by Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, and Nora and Richard Dauenhauer and illustrated by Lisa Teas. It includes both Tlingit and English text and is accompanied by a CD featuring the audio component of the story in Tlingit.
The book and CD are available through Sealaska Heritage Institute. Language teachers and students also may print copies of the book from the institute’s online language resources section at www.sealaskaheritage.org/programs/language_resources.htm
The publication is part of SHI’s Tlingit immersion curriculum project, which is funded through a $278,129 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education. The project is 95 percent federally funded and five percent is funded through non-governmental sources.
The Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private, nonprofit founded in 1981 to administer cultural and educational programs for Sealaska Corp. The institute is governed by an all-Native board of trustees. Its mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska.
CONTACT: Rosita Worl, SHI president, 907-463-4844