Alaska Indian Arts
PO Box 271
Haines Alaska 99827
907-766-2160
mail@alaskaindianarts.com
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Ordering a Totem Pole
Visiting Alaska Indian Arts
The Chilkat Dancers 50th Anniversary
The Chilkat Dancers 50th Anniversary
2008
In 1952 the Klukwan ANB/ANS performed
a ceremonial dance at an annual community festival in Haines.
This was the first time the public
was privileged to witness a Tlingit Ceremonial Dance and the dancers
were well received. It was noted that the costumes and art objects
were outstanding in beauty and style but most of the masks, headdresses
and other artifacts were in serious need of repair. Carl Heinmiller
tried to get the Native Elders to allow him to work with the few
remaining master artisans in an effort to repair the artifacts.
He was told he could not help because he was not a member of the
tribe. In 1957 the local boy scout organization decided to send
a group of boys and two scout leaders to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
for the National Jamboree. Carl Heinmiller was one of the scout
leaders and thought it would be appropriate if the boys performed
a Native dance at the Jamboree since half the boys were Native.
He approached tribal elders for help in teaching the boys the
traditional dances that were disappearing and again was refused.
It was only the interest of the children in their cultural heritage
that turned the parents- who had been robbed of many memories
of their culture by the local missionary effort- and grandparents
around. Dan Katzeek, silversmith and master carver, and his wife
Margaret decided to teach the children the songs and dances that
they knew.
Without the barrier of a tribal
wall Carl Heinmiller was now able to facilitate a revival in the
arts and dances that were close to being lost due to missionary
tactics, through a non profit organization called Alaska Youth
Inc.. A program of woodcarving, costume making and the construction
of an authentic Tribal House was begun.
Charles Jimmie Sr. and Verna Ereckson