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Curriculum
SHI
encourages teachers to download its units and resources for use in
class. (Download
Flash Player to use audio tools). Use the
audio tools in conjunction with the pdf units.
More about these materials.
Tlingit
-
Alder:
Alder and cottonwood trees are the focus of this unit – other units
feature spruce, cedar and hemlock. As residents of the lush
rainforests of Southeast Alaska, Tlingit people were in touch with the
land, plants and animals that share this home. They strived to live in
harmony with the land. Nowadays, we have steadily increasing
populations, massive increases in tourism and more demand for products
from the land and seas. We, and the generations to follow, need to
understand the complexities of this ecosystem to ensure resources are
sustained not only for our children, but for our children’s children,
and for centuries to come. (Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Beach:
In this unit, students study beach creatures and gathering and
processing techniques. Since time immemorial, Tlingit people have
survived using what nature provides. Southeast Alaska has a rich
extensive coastline, so Tlingit people gather numerous beach creatures
that nourish them. They in turn respect the creatures of the tides and
beaches that sustain them. This unit is best suited for the spring
because many schools conduct Sea Wee/Month activities during April or
May. (Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Berries:
Of all the natural subsistence foods of the Tlingit people, the
wild berry, rich in vitamins and minerals, balances their diet. Before
refined sugar was introduced into the Tlingit diet, berries were the
sweeteners. Wild berries are still very special traditional foods.
Some wild berries are not exactly palatable eaten alone. For example,
currents and soap berries are best mixed with sweeteners. Some
berries, like the salmonberry, are usually served mixed with
cultivated berries or other fruits such as bananas. This mixture is a
common food at Tlingit events and ceremonies.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Canoes:
Southeast Alaska
is made up of many miles of coastline and hundreds of islands, with a
wide variety of resources and villages scattered throughout. Canoes
were the primary mode of transportation used by the people of
Southeast Alaska for hundreds of years. Tlingit people use canoes and
other watercraft to support their coastal lifestyle, to gather
resources, and for basic transportation. Canoes were used for hunting,
fishing, gathering and traveling between villages to trade or take
part in a traditional party — a Koo.éex’. Canoes vary
greatly depending on their function.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Hemlock:
The forest in Southeast Alaska is a Sitka Spruce/Western Hemlock
rainforest. Western hemlocks are shade-loving trees. They begin their
life cycle in the undergrowth of the Sitka Spruce. The old-growth
forest provides habitat for many birds, animals, insects and plants
that young students can explore to begin to understand a forest
ecosystem. Children will recognize the short, flat needles of the
hemlock as “friendly” to touch.
Historically, Tlingit
people had many uses for hemlock trees. The rough, reddish brown bark
is used for tanning hides and producing the black dye for Chilkat
Robes.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Herring:
Herring have played an integral role in Tlingit life. They provide
food for consumption and trading in the form of fish, oil, and eggs to
providing jobs in canneries. Life would not be possible with them. In
addition many of the animals in the ocean life cycle are dependent on
herring. The animals that provide Tlingit people with food need
herring for their survival. Herring may not be a primary food source
to Tlingit people; but those foods that we are so dependent on use
herring as their primary food. Herring help teach us to respect all
life and recognize how we are all linked to one another. (Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Hooligan:
The Chilkoot and
Chilkat Rivers, near Haines and Klukwan, have been a rich food source
for Tlingit people for hundreds of years. The first high tide in May
brings the celebration of returning hooligan, with seagulls, seals and
seal lions, eagles, ravens, crows and people all joining in this
welcoming of spring. Students learn the cultural and ecological rules
to guarantee the return of this valuable food source in this unit.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Kaaxgal.aat, Elizabeth Peratrovich:
In this unit, students study the life and work of the
remarkable Elizabeth Peratrovich, civil rights champion of Alaska.
They learn about the importance of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB)
and the Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS), and how these organizations
continue to promote civil rights for everyone. The rich historical
context of events in the 1940s provides the backdrop for research and
discussions contained in unit activities. (Unit)
(Resources)
(Resources revised 02-08 to include student booklets)
-
Literacy
The Girl Who Lived with the Bears: The book, The Girl Who Lived with the Bears, retold by Barbara Diamond Goldin, forms the basis for this literature unit. Listening to the story, as read from the book and/or as told by a storyteller, provides the knowledge needed to complete other activities in the rest of the unit. (Unit) (Resources)
How Raven Stole the Sun: The book, How Raven Stole the Sun is one version of how light was brought to the world. Listening to this story is necessary before introducing other activities in the unit. Viewing a video version of the story provides opportunities for comparison activities. Guided reading (for older students), retelling the story, studying the setting and writing additional "Raven as Trickster" stories are also part of the unit. (Unit) (Resources)Tale of an Alaska Whale: The book, Tale of an Alaska Whale, tells a story of the origin of the killer whale and is also known as Naatsilanéi. Listening to the story, as read from a book or told by a culture bearer or storyteller, is the basis for the unit. Viewing a video of a storyteller adds another dimension to the experience and provides opportunities for comparison activities. Guided reading (for older students), retelling the story and writing a story extension are also part of the unit. (Unit) (Resources)
-
Plants:
Traditionally, Tlingit
people gathered plants for food, medicine, making rope and nets,
baskets and clothing, baby carriers and diapers. Trees provided
shelter, tools, transportation and firewood for winter warmth.
Although many needs are now met with commercially produced plant
products, Tlingit people continue to gather plants for nutritious
food, herbal medicine and to create cultural treasures. Tlingits
believe everything has a spirit. Respect and thanks are expressed when
gathering what nature provides.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Red & Yellow
Cedar: For hundreds of years, the
ocean and the forest have provided life sustaining resources for the
Tlingit and Haida people of Southeast Alaska. Using red and yellow
cedar trees they made their homes, canoes, clothing, tools, dishes,
baskets and monument poles. Today, Tlingit and Haida people continue
these traditions, holding deep respect for the cedar and the gifts
that it provides to sustain and enrich peoples’ lives.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Salmon:
Southeast Alaska has abundant
resources. Upon settling in the region the Tlingit people adapted and
developed their traditional food gathering around these resources, the
primary one being salmon. Five species of salmon are found in
Southeast and the Tlingit people caught and preserved – and continue
to preserve – each of them for both summer and winter use.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Salmon
II:
outheast Alaska has abundant resources.
Upon settling in the region the Tlingit people adapted and
developed their traditional food gathering around these resources, the
primary one being salmon. Five species of salmon are found in
Southeast and the Tlingit people caught and preserved – and continue
to preserve – each of them for both summer and winter use.
(Unit)
-
Sea
Mammals:
Tlingit people have occupied Southeast
Alaska for thousands of years. Their tribal land covers a wide coastal
region from Yakutat to Ketchikan. Tlingit people traditionally subsist
on the area’s wealth of natural resources. A way of life suited to the
resources and demands of the environment was adopted. Hunting
activities were determined by the seasonal availability of local
resources. Tlingit people continue to have a great understanding of
the environment. The techniques used to gather food have changed but
subsistence hunting and fishing continue to be important today.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Spruce Trees:
Upon settling in
Southeast Alaska the Tlingit people evaluated their environment. They
adapted their lives to what nature provided – which is a lot of
species of trees. This unit explores the use of the spruce tree. The
roots provided containers for cooking, hats to keep people dry and
lashings for many of the tools used. The trunk gives us canoes,
paddles and temporary shelters, and the pitch was melted down and used
as an antiseptic on cut and burns. Many atóow—clan
treasures—are carved from the trunks of spruce trees or woven from the
roots.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Totem Poles:
One of the first things anyone who sees an old village site notices are
the magnificent totem poles perched along the shore. To us today
totems are beautiful works of art. To the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian
people of Southeast Alaska they also hold deep meaning and are of
great significance. They tell clan stories and describe important
historical events. Some even signify the final resting place of clan
leaders.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
-
Who Am I?:
Tlingit children are
traditionally taught their lineage through oral history. They learn
their family history, what village they are from, what clan they are a
member of, what moiety they belong to, and the crests they are
entitled to use because of that membership. Through oral history they
learn their Tlingit name, where it came from and what it means.
Knowing who you are and where you come from is absolutely essential
today even as it was generations ago.
(Unit)
(Resources)
(Audio)
(Additional audio tools: Clan Names (Eagle); Clan Names (Raven)
News Articles:
"Heritage Institute seeks
to connect education to Native experience"
"Sealaska looks to HS curriculum"
"Sealaska
Herigage Develops Culturally-Relevant High School Curriculum" (Radio
story by CoastAlaska reporter Ed Schoenfeld)