Our Grandparents' Teachings

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, our host Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller) shares about the Sitka Native Education Program (SNEP) that was started in the 1970s. We will hear about the founders of SNEP and its history from the beginning. We will also hear from a few of the programs first students, Kaax'áxooskaa (Lillian Young) and Kichnaalxh (Larry Garrity), and the impact SNEP had on them. Included, you will hear songs from the Gajaa Heen Dance group and some archived stories. Please tune in and join us as we learn about this rich way of life. 

If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven Radio Technical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, our host Chuck Miller explains how winter fits into the cycle of Tlingit way of life. Autumn is for hard work during the harvesting season and after the harvest, in December, is a time of reflection, community sharing and storytelling. In this episode we get back to traditional storytelling with the help of our guest speaking, Shaagunaastaa (Bob Sam), an iconic Tlingit storyteller who has traveled across the U.S and Europe sharing legends and Tlingit history for a wide audience. We will also hear from the archives from one of the most revered Tlingit elders from the 1970s as well as songs from the Kaagaanwaan and Kiks’adi clans and some reflections. Please join us and we hope you enjoy this rich history.

If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven Radio Technical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.

Episode 6 - Origin Stories - “Will the Time Ever Come?”

In this episode of Our Grandparent’s Teachings, we will hear from Koowaayeik (Kathy Hope-Erickson) and her brother Gerry Hope as they share about their late brother Andrew Hope III and his life’s work uncovering the historical migratory patterns of the Coastal People that were the first inhabitants of Southeast Alaska. Listen to learn about how our iconic volcano (Mt Edgecumbe) was a beacon for traveling Tlingit tribes. Our host, Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller), will share the legend of the first encounters with the People from Under the Clouds. Please join us as we share our origins through interviews, legends, and songs. We hope you enjoy it. Gunalcheesh.

If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven RadioTechnical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.

This episode of Our Grandparent’s Teaching's explores the Alaskan holiday of Reconciliation Day or otherwise known as Alaska Day on October 18th. This date commemorates the sale of Alaska from Russia to the United States. We hear from our host, Daanax.ils'eik (Chuck Miller), and guest speakers X'asheech Tlaa (Louise Brady) and Matt Jackson about their views on the impact this sale had on Native Alaskan communities and whether it was even a legal transaction. We will also hear from our archives, a few songs and a poem by Pauline Duncan. Please join us as we explore a sale that changed the course of history in Alaska.

If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven RadioTechnical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.

This episode of Our Grandparents Teachings explores the concept of Restorative Justice. We hear our host, Daanax.ils’eik (Chuck Miller), share his experiences with Peacemaking Ceremonies and the importance of the Guwakaan (deer). He will share some archived recordings of peacemaking songs from the 1970s and then we will hear from local artist and restorative justice facilitator, Cayla Pook. Cayla shares her experiences with restorative justice in her work here in Sitka and how her practices were influenced by learning from her elders. Gunalcheesh!

If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven RadioTechnical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.

This episode of Our Grandparents' Teachings celebrates the summer harvest of Salmon, Xáat.

If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven RadioTechnical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.

This episode explores the legacy of Alaska Native Women and the strength and leadership they have provided within mushing, politics, education and advocacy. We will hear from Sitka’s Crystal Duncan as she leads us through the “Honoring Elizabeth Peratrovich” Project and the many legacies of the women who followed in her footsteps. One of those women being Pauline Duncan who will share a poem she wrote. Included in this episode are multiple songs composed by our host, Chuck Miller. The episode finishes with revered elder, Ethel Makinen, as she shares the Loonk Legend recorded in the 1970.

IIf you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven RadioTechnical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.

Welcome to the first episode of a new storytelling program produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW, Raven Radio. Daanax.ils’eik (Chuck Miller) will host “Our Grandparents’ Teachings”. This program will help keep Tlingit stories alive through storytelling and education. Join us as we celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Southeast Alaska.

This episode we will hear from revered elders who will teach us about the meaning of the word “Tlingit" as well as traditional drumming songs and Raven Legends.

If you have a story you would like to share, please reach out to [email protected].

The radio version airs live on 91.1 & 104.7 FM on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM AKST (8 PM Pacific Time) on KCAW from Sitka, Alaska, on Lingít Aaní land. Produced in collaboration with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Artchange, Inc. & KCAW. Raven RadioTechnical support for Our Grandparents' Teachings was made possible in part with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation administered by the Alaska State Council for the Arts and Artchange Inc.