 Pauline
Duncan's Tlingit Curriculum Resources - Books
We have a Release Agreement online which gives us
permission to copy and distribute resources for educational
purposes only.
Ten Sitka Herring
 is
a Pauline Duncan Publication and part of a series called "The
Keeping of Our Grandfather’s Words" designed for children
and adults who, like her, are concerned with the loss of the
Tlingit culture and language. Designed to be entertaining,
and fun at the same time, "Ten Sitka Herring", like other Pauline
Duncan Publications helps children re-learn and retain the
Tlingit language through easy to memorize poetry and rhymes
that incorporate the Tlingit language in their rythm.
The rhyme is written in English, with Tlingit
translation words below. Suggested classroom use: For oral
reading, substitute the English words with Tlingit animals
and numbers. You can also discuss the math activity (ex. 9-1=8),
as well as how the herring spawn contributes to the food chain.
The herring spawn
is an important and exciting event of the Sitka native community.
It usually occurs between March and April. If you enjoy this
booklet, be sure to see the back page for other Pauline Duncan
Publications.
Listen
to Tlingit Numbers
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1 Tléix'
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2 Déix
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3 Nás'k
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4 Daax'oon
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5 Keiji'n
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6 Tleidooshú
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7 Daxadooshú
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8 Nas' gadooshú
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9 Gooshúk
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10 Jinkaat
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Tlingit Creatures
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Salmon
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Xáat
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Crab
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S'aaw
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Sea Lion
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Taan
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Bull Head
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Wéix
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Halibut
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Cháatl
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Devil Fish
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Ná akw
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Eel
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Lóot'
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Red Snapper
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Leik'w
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Shark
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Tóos'
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*Singular-Yaaw *Plural
Yaaw’x
Click on image for a big graphic
Listen
to Tlingit 10 Sitka Herring
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The keeping of our
Grandfather's words...
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Keep Our Language Alive
Now Available on Poster, Audio
Tape
and in New 1998 Calendar!
Popular Children’s Verses Translated
from English to Tlingit Version.
*The Pledge of Alliangiance *Happy Birthday
Poster *Hickory Dickory Dot *Humpty Dumpty *Cat and the Fiddle
*Little Bird* Jack
and Jill *Rain *Weather *Seasons Benny
Benson Poster *Elizabeth Peratravich
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The idea for the  calendar
and posters originated when Pauline Duncan, a first
grade teacher at Baranof School, in Sitka, Alaska,
became concerned about the loss of her language. An
Alaska native, herself, she set about finding a way
to stimulate an interest in learning the language in
her own classroom. She began by having commonly learned
nursery rhymes translated to Tlingit versions, made
into attractive posters, and using them in her classes.
She found this so successful that she has followed
this by creating a wide variety of translated items.
Pauline was born and raised in Alaska
and is the daughter of Ramona and Matthew Kookesh of
Angoon, Alaska.
The Calendar and posters were created
by Pauline Duncan, any other use or reproduction is
forbidden without consent. Pauline has been able to
do all this work with the support and help of her husband,
Al Duncan. Al is a fluent speaker and is the son of
Peter and Emma Duncan, formerly of Excursion Inlet.
Al, a native, was born and raised in Alaska.
~ ~ ~
If you work with children and would
like a listing of the available posters and other translated
materials, write to:
Pauline Duncan, 721 Lake Street,
Sitka, AK 99835, or
call 1-907-747-6987
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Listen to The
Herring Spawn in Tlingit
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THE HERRING SPAWN
SITKA CHILDREN
AWAKE AT DAWN, TO SEE IF TODAY THE HERRING WILL SPAWN.
EXCITEMENT
IS IN THE AIR, AS FISHING BOATS COME IN FROM EVERYWHERE.
THE WATER
TEMPERATURE HAS TO BE JUST SO FOR THE HERRING ROE TO
GROW.
THE WIND,
SNOW, SUN, AND RAIN, COME AND GO AS THE FOG HORN STEADILY
BLOWS.
THE SCENT
OF FRESH HERRING FRYING IS IN THE AIR, AS CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES SIT DOWN
TO SHARE. SEAGULLS CRY
WITH EXCITEMENT AT THIS GREAT EVENT.
THEY KNOW THAT SOON ALL THEIR TIME WILL BE WELL SPENT.
SEAL AND SEA LIONS SIT
WITH GLEE, AS THEY WATCH HERRING COME IN FROM THE SEA.
WHALES COME TO SITKA
IN SOUTHEAST, TO JOIN
IN THIS GREAT HERRING EGG FEAST.
THE OCTOPUS.
HALIBUT, AND SALMON, CANNOT BE LEFT OUT OF THE FUN.
THEY JOIN EVERYONE AS
THE HERRING EGG
SEASON STARTS ITS RUN.
RAVENS SAY "KA,
KA, KA," AS THEY SIT AND VIEW THE HERRING IN AWE.
EAGLES SOAR
AND SIT ON TREES AND EAT AS MUCH HERRING AS THEY PLEASE.
THE HEMLOCK
TREES SIT IN A GRAND AND MAJESTIC STANCE AS NATIVES VIEW IT
FOR
THEIR SUBSISTENCE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE HEMLOCK
BRANCH IS PLACED IN THE WATER FOR HERRING SPAWN ON.
THE HERRING
WILL SPAWN AND SPAWN UNTIL THEY'RE READY TO MOVE ON.
THE HEMLOCK
BRANCH AND KELP ARE CAREFULLY PICKED UP TO EAT.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
EXCLAIM, "WHAT A TREAT!" THE
HERING EGGS ARE DIPPED IN SEAL AND
EULACHEN OIL, AND NOT ONE HERRING EGG IS ALLOWED TO SPOIL.
IN SITKA,
A LONG TIME AGO YOU WOULD SEE HERRING HEMLOCK BRANCHES
AND KELP DRYING IN THE SUN.
THIS WAS THE
WAY PRESERVING WAS DONE.
FOR HUNDREDS
OF YEARS, THE HERRING HAS BROUGHT NATIVES MUCH TO EAT.
WITHOUT THE
HERRING, THE NATIVE SUBSISTENCE YEAR WOULD BE INCOMPLETE.
I TOLD YOU THE
RAIN, WIND, SUN, AND SNOW HELPED THE HERRING ROE TO GROW.
THE HERRING
EGG STORY STARTED A LONG, LONG TIME AGO.
©Created by Pauline Ducan, Sitka,
Alaska. Reproduction of words or poster is forbidden
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