Kootéeyaa, s’eek and s’áxt (totem pole, black bear, and devil’s club) are just a few words we regularly use when communicating about place in Southeast Alaska. Jinkaat Yoo X̱’atánk Lingít X̱’éináx̱ or Ten Tlingit Words to Know and Use invites the viewer to use these words (and more) in Tlingit- a language that has been in use for at least 10,000 years.

Jinkaat Yoo X̱’atánk Lingít X̱’éináx̱ will be on display in the Media Room Gallery through April 2019 and will include ten Tlingit words displayed alongside ten curated items from the Museum’s permanent collection. Viewers will be encouraged to learn both the meaning and pronunciation of the ten Tlingit words and can also participate in learning additional Tlingit vocabulary and phrases through interacting with Museum exhibits, utilizing language learning resources and consulting with a Tlingit language learning group.

In addition, Museum visitors will be provided a Tlingit language “scavenger hunt’ to assist in learning additional Tlingit vocabulary. Using a list of Tlingit words, participants will be encouraged to explore the Museum’s exhibits to locate the words and find their meanings.

Tlingit language learning resources and learning activities will be available in the Media Room Gallery for individuals or groups who want to use the gallery for language learning through April 2019.