In the Tlingit worldview, maintaining the delicate ecological balance of their land requires ongoing, respectful interaction with all its resources. Elders say, “a káx yan tudél wé tl’átgi ka at wudikeen áani aat ka éil” – we are stewards of the land, the air, and the sea. As vital components of the web of life, humans must fully participate in the seasonal rounds of gathering and harvesting to maintain balance. To receive from the land is to nurture it.
This collection consists of 32 archival CDs with the interviews conducted by the United States Forest Service (USFS) in preparation for the publication Haa Atxaayí Haa Kusteeyíx Sitee, Our Food is Our Tlingit Way of Life. These audio recordings are the full versions of the interviews. The interviews were conducted by Richard (Dick) G. Newton and Madonna L. Moss