I am curious if the various communities established permanent hunting territories, or if these are/were traditionally negotiated annually? Also, was there some regular system of conferences or other discussions about the state of the seal stock, which shaped the way the harvests were/are done?
Judges’ Queries and Presenter’s Replies
Presentation Discussion
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Each clan controlled the hunting and fishing within their territory. The chief and his council monitored the stocks to ensured there was no over harvesting or waste of animals or fish. The chief has someone monitoring the hunting and fishing, that person was responsible for reporting to the chief and his council
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Is there only one group of people that hunt seals in this area? Also, any idea about historical numbers of seals compared to today’s populations?
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The local can can invite other clans to hunt in their territory. Sometimes hunting right was traded or permission can be asked if you were married into the clan. During the 1899 Harriman Expedition, there we two other villages hunting seal. The harvesting has decreased with the change to a modern diet.
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This is a very interesting and important project. Do you (or the elders) have a good sense of how long Tlingit people have been hunting seal at Yakutat Bay? On an unrelated topic, are there discussions in the community about the effects of warming on the seals, and on seal hunting? Thank you very much for your presentation.
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It is estimated we have been hunting is Yakutat Bay for at least 900 years, based on oral tradition. This research is trying to collaborate oral tradition with archaeological and geological evidence. Because at least 8 seal camps were established as the glacier retreated, this scientific evidence will collabrate oral history.
Recently a seal was found in Yakutat Bay with no fur, similar to seal found in the north. This seal is being analyze to find out what kind of seal it is and what caused it to have no fur. -
Hi, Judith. Great to hear about your work. I think documenting TEK is very important. How do you plan to share your results with your community when you are done with your research?
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We are planning to produce a 40 minute documentary at the end. Results will also be shared on the Arctic Smithsonian Recovering Voices web site. We will work with the local tribe and regional native non-profit corporation Sealaska Heritage on language and education curriculum.
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Beautiful presentation.
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thanks, gunalcheesh (tlingit)
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Outstanding presentation! This research is important both from cultural and ecological perspectives. Well done. gk
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thanks gary.
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Congratulations! It’s about time to recognize the value of TEK
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thanks, I think the value of TEK is becoming more recognized.
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