TlingitPronounced: “Tlin-git,” “Klin-git” or

“Klin-kit”

Heather Pitcher and Carolyn Murray

History• Originated about 800 years ago in

the Pacific Northwest• First contact with Europeans was in

1741• Maintained their independence and

control of trade routes for years• Many died from small pox and other

diseases brought by European explores

History

Geography

• Occupy the Pacific Northwest (Southeast Alaska)– Coastline– Mountainous

Mainland– Glacial in the north– Abundant resources

• Occupy British Columbia

language• Today, the majority of Tlingit people speak English• Some Tlingit people, though, speak Native Tlingit

Language– More common among elders– Tone language– Has 32 consonants and 8 vowels– Has 24 sounds not found in English

s'èekgundas'ajée

Traditions and Culture• Men hunt and fish• Women gather and tend to the children • Wear basketry hats to display family connections• Storytelling and legends are an important part of their culture• Songs are very important and are used for many occasions• Potlatches are a very important tradition

— Show respect, display wealth, or pay debt at a giant feast

Clothing• Traditionally, wore loincloths and cedar bark

skirts• Today, dress like contemporary Americans• However, still wear clothing or jewelry that displays clan or family emblem

RELIGION• Believed in creator called Kah-shu-goon-yah who

created all living things• Believed Raven organized the world• Believed spirits inhabited people, animals, and things

– Must respect everything • Believed a mortal and immortal spirit inhabited each Tlingit• Believed spirit doctors could cure and protect people

ART• Best example of the Tlingit people’s

workmanship is their carving– Most often carved from wood

• Use different degrees of realism to portray creatures

• Ceremonial art was very important– Masks and rattles

Food

• Lived off of the sea• Men fished and hunted deer, goats, and birds• Women gathered shellfish, seaweed, roots,

and berries

Habitat• Coastal tribe• Lived in the Pacific northwest• Cold, rainy climate

Famous Tlingit•Charlie Jones: Arrested in 1922 for voting. Native Americans were not automatically considered citizens at that time. Jones was acquitted and Native Americans were given the right to vote.•William Paul (Shkundee): Tlingit attorney who represented Jones.

References• Benson, D. E. (n.d.). Tlingit. Retrieved from

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Sr-Z/Tlingit.html • California Academy of Sciences. (n.d.). Russia’s great voyages. Retrieved from

http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/science_under_sail/people.html• Denali Incorporated. (1999). More about Tlingit Native American art. Retrieved

from http://www.denaliincorporated.com/Pages/tart.htm• Denali Incorporated. (1999). More about Tlignit Native American culture.

Retrieved from http://www.denaliincorporated.com/Pages/tculture.htm• Native Languages of the Americas. (1998). Tlingit Indian fact sheet. Retrieved

from http://www.bigorrin.org/tlingit_kids.htm• Price, W. G. (n.d.). Art prints. Retrieved from http://silvercloudart.com/artprints • Tlingit-religion and expressive culture. Retrieved from

http://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Tlingit-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html