Essential Question:
How are climate, terrestrial ice and Alaskan indigenous cultures all connected?
ENGAGE
Cultural Connections
Long before Captain George Vancouver sailed into Icy Strait in 1794 on the HMS Discovery, ancestral Tlingit had discovered the region with its wealth of resources that allowed them to thrive in a challenging environment.
The present village of the Huna Tlingit is located on Chichagof Island 25 miles SE of Glacier Bay. But their oral tradition tells the generations old story of how their ancestors were chased out of Glacier Bay hundreds of years ago by the rapidly advancing ice.
Though they now live across Icy Strait from their ancestral lands, their stories and culture still hold a deep connection to Glacier Bay. Fortunately, scientists - glaciologists, geologists, anthropologists, climatologists, etc. - have tapped the deep well of cultural geographic knowledge found in Tlinget oral tradition, providing valuable information about changes taking place in Glacier Bay over the centuries.
Tlinget place names in Glacier Bay, and their associated stories, help to inform and reveal the processes and sequence of events that have left their marks on this incredibly dynamic region. No wonder wise scientists have partnered with local Tlinget to create a more holistic understanding of climate, glacial activity, people and place.
Long before Captain George Vancouver sailed into Icy Strait in 1794 on the HMS Discovery, ancestral Tlingit had discovered the region with its wealth of resources that allowed them to thrive in a challenging environment.
The present village of the Huna Tlingit is located on Chichagof Island 25 miles SE of Glacier Bay. But their oral tradition tells the generations old story of how their ancestors were chased out of Glacier Bay hundreds of years ago by the rapidly advancing ice.
Though they now live across Icy Strait from their ancestral lands, their stories and culture still hold a deep connection to Glacier Bay. Fortunately, scientists - glaciologists, geologists, anthropologists, climatologists, etc. - have tapped the deep well of cultural geographic knowledge found in Tlinget oral tradition, providing valuable information about changes taking place in Glacier Bay over the centuries.
Tlinget place names in Glacier Bay, and their associated stories, help to inform and reveal the processes and sequence of events that have left their marks on this incredibly dynamic region. No wonder wise scientists have partnered with local Tlinget to create a more holistic understanding of climate, glacial activity, people and place.
EXPLORE
ANKN
The Alaska Native Knowledge Network has a wealth of resources about Alaska's indigenous peoples. Check out this detailed historical map of Tlingit lands and see how it relates it to the region claimed by the Huna Tlingit. Then Google Earth.
Google Earth
The Alaska Native Knowledge Network has a wealth of resources about Alaska's indigenous peoples. Check out this detailed historical map of Tlingit lands and see how it relates it to the region claimed by the Huna Tlingit. Then Google Earth.
Google Earth
- Find Glacier Bay
- Find Hoonah, Alaska
- Explore the landscape of the Huna Kwaan in 3D
- Measure the distance from Hoonah to Glacier Bay
Alaskool
Alaskool.org -- Online materials about Alaska Native history, education, languages and cultures is a rich, valuable site for any teacher looking for information, ideas and resources from an Alaska Native perspective.
Helpful Hint: While you're visiting Alaskool , allow yourself a dozen clicks or so to poke around the site. It's real Alaskan and real cool. It's Alaskool!
Helpful Hint:Alaska History and Cultural Studies provides great resources for any teacher looking to make connections between people and place in Alaska. There is a great section on geographic materials including climate and permafrost information.
Teachers' Domain
We've learned quite a bit about how changes in sea ice systems affect Alaska's coastal cultures. Here are two TD videos describing impacts of climate change for some of Alaska's more interior indigenous peoples.
Changing Arctic Landscape
Losing Permafrost
We've learned quite a bit about how changes in sea ice systems affect Alaska's coastal cultures. Here are two TD videos describing impacts of climate change for some of Alaska's more interior indigenous peoples.
Changing Arctic LandscapeLosing PermafrostEXPLAIN
- How does climate change affect Alaska's interior forests?
- What are some of the physical effects of climate change in Alaska's interior?
EXTEND
- Everyone benefits when local Native elders have opportunities to teach your students.
EVALUATE
- How valuable are these resources for helping your students make connections between traditional Native knowledge and western science?
