The Wrangell sentinel. (Wrangell, Alaska) 1909-current, 1933-03-03

/ program was a speech by Charlie
Jones. one of the older leaders
among Wrangell Indians. Although
capable of speaking English Mr..
Jones used the Thlinget language.
Frank Johnson of Kake, a graduate
of the University of Oregon, and
Grand President of the A. N. B.
acted as interpreter. MIR. Jones
placed the koo-gay-nah, a part of
the A. N. B. regalia ON Herbert
Bradley and explained its signifi-
canoe. The koo-gay-nah is a moose
skin strap worn over the left
shoulder and under the right arm.
In the old days an arrow container
fitted into the bottom. The koo-gay-
nah was worn only when the men
went to war or on big hunts. The
On the ISLANDS out only from the
mainland rivers. The Inuians OF
southeast Alaska were supplied
Irom the Stikine, Chilkat and Taku
districts anu the price paid was ten
men slaves or fifteen women slaves.
1t mad a definite value in the old
Jays, said Mr.. Jones, and it has a
definite value now.
Modern Arrows
Tne present day koo-gay-nah is
not maue with an arrow container
out an embroidered arrow pierces
the letters, "A. n. B. 1t is emblem
attic OF the changed conditions. To-
day, the Indians do not go forth
with actual arrows to wage war
or to hunt, but they are going
forth to meet modern conditions of
education and citizenship, the ar
row symbolizing the aim and thrust
OF A N. B. ideals, explained Mr..
Jones.
Thlinget History
The speech of Charlie Jones was
particularly interesting to those
who knew his history. He was born
in the highest caste OF his tribe ana
under the old tribal law is the
righttul Chief Shakes but when
Shakes, chief before the transfer
oil Alaska, and who is designated as
"Old Chief Shakes" died, Jones
was considered too young to assume
the responsibilities of the headship
of his clan. His cousin, the late
Chief Shakes, was then appointed
ny the elders of the tribe to be
mead OF the clan. The Wrangell
Indians, it is said, never have re-
cognized any one man as being head
chief, the clan chiefs being CO.
equal.
Tribal Law
AT the death OF Chief Shakes, Mr..
Jones refused to carry out the old
tribal custom whereby he would as
sumo the name of Chief Shakes.
This action was mandatory by trib-
al law. He was not entitled to the
authority and name of Chief Shakes
until he had fulfilled the law. He
refused to carry out that law. be-
cause he believed it was in con-
flict with the ideals of progressive
citizenship as taught by the Alaska
Native Brotherhood in which he
had been an enthusiastic and ag-
gressiye leader since its organiza-
ton six or seven years previous to
this time.
Connecting Link
His speech was connecting
link between the present generation
as represented by the Indian pupils
of Wrangell Institute and the pub
tic school who had taken part in
the program, and the old tribal
culture.
Between the speeches the A. N. B.
choir of "a voices sang four selec-
lions from the cantata. Miss VAL
borg Brunsvold and Miss Dorothy
johnson, of the Wrangell high
school faculty, were director and
accompanist for the choir. The
Wrangell Institute Glee Club under
the direction of Mrs. Leroy F. Jack
son, sang two numbers and the pu-
pills of the Native room in the
Wrangell school. gave the flag sal
ute and sang the four stanzas of
America" from memory.
Gratitude For Missionaries
The speech Of Frank Johnson
was most interesting and thought
full. He pictured the life of the un-
happy Native in Alaska after the
coming of the first while men and
expressed his gratitude for the
sacrifices and labors Of the early
and for the foundation ?
which thew and tho aph0nl faacharo