Work: Downtime is a Misnomer

Work: Downtime is a Misnomer

I work a seasonal position at the Sheldon Jackson Museum (SJM), May 1 – September 30. I thought that would be ideal for getting lots and lots of artwork done. Not quite that easy! I co-teach 3 classes with the Rural Human Services (RHS) Program in...
Art, Culture, and Living in Two Worlds

Art, Culture, and Living in Two Worlds

That line between two worlds is becoming blurred in the sense that we Natives live in the global, modern, technological, achievement-oriented 21st century world. On the other hand, we are responsible for defining and determining our cultural identity, traditions,...
NW Coast Formline and Printmaking

NW Coast Formline and Printmaking

I’ve stated before my love of teaching our Tlingit formline design. I teach about the uses of our art as clan crests. I teach about the basic rules in order to start designing within this art style. I try to make it interesting, meaningful and fun. So I was...
Village Boy – Poem

Village Boy – Poem

When my parents, Henry and Claribel Davis both accepted teaching jobs in Juneau in 1970 it was a dramatic shift for a “village boy.” Back then it was culture shock for me. It wasn’t easy. I listened to and took to heart comments about small town...
Topsy (Charles Johnson) Poem: Reconstruction

Topsy (Charles Johnson) Poem: Reconstruction

Last time I was in Kake, I read some poems at a community talent show, and I had told my sisters I would read my “Topsy poem” but once I was limited on time so I read shorter works. So here is the poem I didn’t get to read: Reconstruction (For Uncle...