David Katzeek

"Today, being Tlingit has been narrowed down to our clans and our families. But the most important thing our children need to learn is that we are human beings."

David Katzeek was born in Klukwan, Alaska in November 1942. He moved to Juneau in 1948 and is a respected Tlingit elder and educator. He is the former President of Sealaska Heritage Foundation and leader of the Shangukeidi clan.

"It's powerful when you see a principal, superintendent, and teachers at a totem pole raising, or starting dancing when they hear Tlingit music.
We’re coming together in the schools."

Place Names Versus Plymouth Rock

Canoes - Condescending - Plymouth Rock - Dzantik'i Heeni

Lost In Translation

Bathroom emergency - Language - Surprising friendship

"But some of our ways are coming back…..the Ancient Truths are just as real as the laws of gravity."

David Katzeek

"Today, being Tlingit has been narrowed down to our clans and our families. But the most important thing our children need to learn is that we are human beings."

"It's powerful when you see a principal, superintendent, and teachers at a totem pole raising, or starting dancing when they hear Tlingit music. We’re coming together in the schools."

Place Names Versus Plymouth Rock

Lost In Translation

"But some of our ways are coming back…..the Ancient Truths are just as real as the laws of gravity."

"It's powerful when you see a principal, superintendent, and teachers at a totem pole raising, or starting dancing when they hear Tlingit music.
We’re coming together in the schools."