Who Are the Tlingit?
The Tlingit (pronounced KLING-kit) are an Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast, inhabiting the southeastern Alaska panhandle and adjacent areas of British Columbia and Yukon. Numbering approximately 22,000, they developed one of the most complex societies north of Mexico, with elaborate social organization, sophisticated art traditions, and a maritime economy based on the region's abundant resources.
The Tlingit name means "People of the Tides," reflecting their intimate connection to the sea. Their territory encompasses the fjords, islands, and rainforests of the Inside Passage—a dramatically beautiful landscape that provided salmon, halibut, seal, and other resources supporting permanent villages, specialized crafts, and monumental art.
Moiety and Clan System
Tlingit society divides into two moieties (halves): Raven and Eagle (or Wolf in some areas). Every Tlingit belongs to their mother's moiety—descent is matrilineal. Marriage must be between moieties; marrying within one's own moiety is considered incest. This system creates bonds across the entire nation, as every gathering brings together both moieties.
Within moieties, numerous clans own property including names, songs, stories, dances, and crest designs. The clan house (hit) served as both residence and ceremonial center, its facade decorated with clan crests. Totem poles displayed clan history and prerogatives, serving as monumental heraldry rather than religious objects.
Potlatch and Wealth
The potlatch—a ceremonial feast involving elaborate gift-giving—was central to Tlingit society. Hosts distributed vast quantities of goods to guests, validating names, crests, and status. Receiving gifts created obligations; the wealthy demonstrated their position through generosity rather than accumulation. Potlatches marked life events, memorialized the dead, and transferred property.
Colonial and American authorities banned potlatch from 1885 to 1951, attempting to suppress what they saw as wasteful and anti-Christian practice. The Tlingit continued ceremonies covertly, and potlatch has revived strongly since legalization. Contemporary potlatches remain important for cultural transmission, family obligations, and community solidarity.
Art and Formline Design
Tlingit art exemplifies the Northwest Coast "formline" tradition—a sophisticated visual system using flowing lines of varying width to depict animals and supernatural beings. Masters carved totem poles, canoes, masks, and household objects; wove Chilkat blankets with complex abstract patterns; and produced metalwork after European contact introduced iron and copper.
Each clan owned rights to specific designs representing their crests—Raven, Eagle, Bear, Killer Whale, Frog, and others. Using another clan's crest without permission was a serious offense. Contemporary Tlingit artists continue these traditions while also innovating, gaining international recognition in both traditional and contemporary art markets.
Contemporary Tlingit
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (1971) created Native corporations managing land and resources, providing the Tlingit with an economic base. Sealaska Corporation and village corporations pursue timber, tourism, and other enterprises. The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes advocates for tribal interests.
Language revitalization is a major priority—fewer than 500 fluent speakers remain, most elderly. Immersion programs, master-apprentice language partnerships, and community courses work to create new speakers. Young Tlingit increasingly embrace their heritage, learning traditional skills while participating fully in modern society.
References
- Dauenhauer, N.M. & Dauenhauer, R. (1987-1994). "Haa Shuká, Our Ancestors" (3 volumes)
- Emmons, G.T. (1991). "The Tlingit Indians"
- Jonaitis, A. (1986). "Art of the Northern Tlingit"
- Sealaska Heritage Institute Resources