Introduction

Current Clan Grandmother, Larraine Wade, telling *Ya Ne Dah Ah* stories to the children at Chickaloon Native Village Culture Camp, 2018, Photo courtesy of the CVTC Permanent Collections, CVTC Cultural Resources Program Collection.

Interpreting histories can be challenging and painful and requires an honest vulnerability, however, we must acknowledge and tell these stories to heal from past traumas and increase awareness so that past traumas are not repeated on future generations. Through knowing and sharing our stories we work to end historic and intergenerational trauma cycles and improve community understanding to create a healthier community together.

Nay’dini’aa Na’ Kayax’ family photo,1978. FIrst Row: Unknown, Gary Stevig, Justice McPherson, Lisa Wade, Ryan Wade, Rick Harrison, Angela Wade, Greg Wade. Second Row: Mary Nicolai (Goodlataw-Shaginoff), Helen Wickersham (Larson), Angeline Harrison (Lanman), Katherine Wickersham (Wade), Unknown, Danny Corey, Jackie Corey, Terri Corey. Third Row: Stella Luster (Larson), Alan Larson, Harriet Belanger, Alan Larson, Jr., Cathryn Wynn (Wade), Samantha Mae Lacher (Ange), Bruce Harrison, Penny Harrison Lacher (Westing), Unknown, Christina Lacher, Buddy McPherson, Unknown, Unknown, Frankie Corey, Laurie Corey, Unknown, Willie Barrickman, Unknown, and Unknown. Photo courtesy of the CVTC Permanent Collections & Archives, CVTC MS003 Katherine Wade Collection.
Nay’dini’aa Na Kayax Traditional Chief, Gary Harrison. Photo courtesy of the CVTC Permanent Collections, Kari Shaginoff Collection.
Current Clan Grandmother, Larraine Wade, telling Ya Ne Dah Ah stories to the children at Chickaloon Native Village Culture Camp, 2018, Photo courtesy of the CVTC Permanent Collections, CVTC Cultural Resources Program Collection.

The First Peoples and first languages of Alaska were profoundly affected by Russian and European-American incursions beginning in the mid-17^th century. For many Tribal citizens of Nay’dini’aa Na’ Kayax (Chickaloon Native Village), colonization policies and practices have intentionally and inadvertently separated them from parts of their Ahtna ancestral knowledge, stories, and language. For some, years of forced acculturation have created distance from traditional lands and cultural lifeways that take place on those lands.

To make way for a healthier future, the people of Nay’dini’aa Na’ Kayax are intentionally exploring their history and continue to live, learn, document, and share their Ahtna language and cultural lifeways; relying on traditional Ahtna values and teachings to help present and future generations to thrive.

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Ahtna Prayer

Moieties & Clans

First there was the Dene

Traditional Lifeways

Matanuska Coal Fields

Rails, Roads & Colonists

Boarding Schools

Blood Quantum

Clan Grandmother

Ya Ne Dah Ah Dats’ehwdeldiixden

Ts’idahwdez’aan

Interviews

Contact

Introduction