The cover image is of Charley Sanford at Slana in 1942. Born
in about 1876 at the mouth of the Sanford River, Charley Sanford
was the last chief, or Kaskae, of Batzulnetas. His remaining
children are Katie John and Steven John.
He was a very good cook, a good ax man, a successful hunter,
and very skillful at fixing things. He built many houses, including
houses at Suslota (Sasluu'na'), Mentasta (Mendaesde), Slana (Stl'ana'),
Chistochina (Tsiistl'edze'Na') and Batzulnetas (Nataelde). He
also built many bridges, or fish weirs and fish traps for the
creeks at fishing camps. Lena Charley remembers him to be very
smart "if anything wrong, he fix it right now". Katie added that
he was "A really good-hearted man" who fed "and take care of
lots of people." He believed in not throwing anything out or
wasting anything, especially food. Katie also says she "can't
even cook the way her daddy cooked". In keeping with tradition,
he asked that material wealth be burned in his honor, for he
knew that the only thing of true value that he could pass to
future generations was a trail, a song, and a story.
Photo courtesy of Bell Joe.
This material is based upon work supported
by the Corporation for National Service under Learn and Serve
America Grant No. 96LSTAK001, 00SHAK025 and 00STAK026. Opinions
or points of view expressed in this document are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position
of the Corporation or the Learn and Serve America Program.
Project Coordinator, Joan Herrmann.
WHOUY
SZE KUINALTH
