Books
SHI has been on the forefront of publishing books to perpetuate and revitalize the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian languages. Texts include the most comprehensive dictionaries every published for the languages plus many other materials and tools.
Apps
Download SHI’s Tlingit language apps on your mobile device. Apps include Learning Tlingit, which includes hundreds of entries, and Tlingit Language Games, which teaches words for ocean animals, household items and birds.
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Tlingit:
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Learning Tlingit App
This app helps to build skills in the Tlingit language. It contains hundreds of entries in more than 20 different categories, all with accompanying audio for vocabulary and phrases.
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Tlingit Language Games App
This app teaches Tlingit words through the interactive games listed below.
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Learning Tlingit App
Video and Audio Resources
Online resources include the Voices of Our Ancestors YouTube series in Lingít, X̱aad Kíl and Sm'algya̱x, and audio resources covering a wide range of topics, including verbs, tools, colors, places, and cooking phrases.
- YouTube playlist: Voices of Our Ancestors language learning series. Watch as Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian language teachers say phrases in Lingít (Tlingit), X̱aad Kíl (Haida), and Sm’algya̱x (Tsimshian). In this video series, Lance X̱’uneiTwitchell, Benjamin Young, and Gavin Hudson share terms that are useful to Native language learners.
- Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, and Sm’algya̱x vocabulary: These audio and video resources cover a variety of topics, including verbs, tools, colors, numbers, places, carved objects, and cooking phrases. The episodes are offered in audio (.mp3) or video (.mp4) formats.
- Language summit: Our first-ever language summit, Voices of Our Ancestors, was held in Juneau in November. The entire three-day event was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube, with or without English translation.
- Salmon Boy: Hear and watch the ancient story of Shanyaak'utlaax̱, Salmon Boy, told in Tlingit by storyteller Ishmael Hope of the Kiks.ádi clan with illustrations by Michaela Goade, also of the Kiks.ádi clan.
- Clan Names (Eagle) (Audio by John Marks and June Pegues)
- Clan Names (Raven) (Audio by John Marks and June Pegues)
- Let's Learn Language: Tlingit language use in everyday speech shown through the use of puppets. Ten lessons produced in 1969 by the Juneau Indian Studies Program. The speakers were Johnny Marks, a longtime contributor to SHI's programs, and Eva Marks. Digitized through a partnership between Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Alaska State Library.
Posters & Cards
SHI has developed materials that can be printed and used in schools to teach Native words for things such as beach creatures, numbers and colors. This section also includes materials for games, such as Go Fish and Word Rummy.
Tlingit Invocation
The Tlingit Invocation embodies the Tlingit people's deep respect for their ancestors, spiritual forces, and the wisdom embedded in their cultural heritage. It creates a sacred atmosphere and fosters a profound spiritual connection within the Tlingit community.
Publications
SHI works with researchers to develop and publish books on topics pertinent to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian, and to the public at large. SHI also conducts its own research on topics germane to Native cultures and has published many books, including children's books. It also publishes the Box of Knowledge series, consisting of essays, reports, and books that the institute considers should be made available as a contribution to studies on Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures, history and languages.
Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy
The Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (TCLL) program is a place-based, culture-based “school within a school” where the Tlingit language and culture are celebrated, respected, and integrated into daily instruction. SHI works in partnership with Juneau School District to host classrooms in Harborview Elementary where Tlingit Elders work alongside the teaching teams and Tlingit language speakers. TCLL will expand its services for K-8th grade while implementing a dual language model whose goal is to cultivate Tlingit language fluency for children, staff, and families participating in the program. Learn more about this program on the TCLL website.
Our Ancestors’ Echoes
SHI designed the Our Ancestors' Echoes program to increase the number of Alaska Native students in Southeast Alaska who have access to educators teaching their heritage language. Building on the success of the Our Language Pathway project, this work also prioritizes supporting and retaining current language educators, increasing wider access to language courses, and supporting mental health and healing work in the community. Additionally, the program includes the establishment of an immersive language community for 6 scholars enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies in Language at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) and the publication of language resources in X̱aad Kíl, Sm'algyax, and Lingít. SHI funds scholarships for language students enrolled at the University of Alaska Southeast who are studying Xaad Kíl, Sm’algyax, and Lingít.
Types of Fish: Unit 16
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Types of Insects: Unit 15
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Types of Plants: Unit 14
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
The Land: Unit 13
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Water Forms: Unit 12
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Types of Transportation: Unit 11
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Buildings: Unit 10
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Recreation: Unit 9
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Types of Clothing: Unit 8
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Weather Forms: Unit 7
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Types of Birds: Unit 6
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.
Types of Animals: Unit 5
These units are designed to instill language into long term memory. The Process use meaningful language content from the environment, academic programs, stories, and themes to enlarge the students' language bases. The Process takes the students through developmental steps that reflect the natural acquisition of language in the home and community.