March 16, 2010
Tuesday

We are the lineal descendants of the Taan ta Kwaan means Sealion People or known as Tongass Tribe a traditional and historical Alaskan Native Tribe in Ketchikan indisputably recognized by all Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes in Southeast Alaska. My Clan, Gaanax adi Clan is the oldest Clan in the Tlingit Nation, with that said, Ketchikan is the aboriginal territory of the Gaanax adi Clan that is Tongass Tribe. We still claim all the low tide lands starting from Tatsuda's to the Tunnel. Tongass Tribe also owned unoccupied village sites on Tongass Island, Long Island, Village Island, Cat Island, Duke Island, Annette Island, Portland Channel, Nakat Bay, Cape Chacon, Pennock Island, Gravina Island, Prince of Wales Island, and Kasaan.

At no time has Congress ever acted to extinguish any aboriginal title of the Tongass Tribe since the United States assumed sovereignty over Alaska. Tongass Tribe has never voluntarily ceded, relinquished, given up, conveyed or abandoned its title to any of its lands and sea. This also goes for the State of Alaska, City of Ketchikan and Borough, Ketchikan I.R.A. Council and Sealaska Corporation. Tongass Tribe is not a disbanded Tribe , some have claimed. If you folks have not noticed, we are still here.

Ketchikan is neither Haida land nor Tsimshian land; you people have your own ancestral tribal lands. Ketchikan is Gaanax adi Land, Tongass Tribe Land. Any Land Claims for Ketchikan should receive in the future has to go to the rightful owners, the Gaanax adi Clan and Tongass Tribe, it's our aboriginal and Inherit Right, it's our History, Culture and Sea.

Some will say, we been here in Ketchikan for a 100 years! It's a lame argument. Tongass Tribe was in Ketchikan and surrounding lands for 10,000 years, it's a big difference. Ketchikan Indian Community (K.I.C.), Alaska Native Brotherhood, Sealaska Corporation, Tlingit and Haida Central Council and the bogus Landless Coalition group in Ketchikan doesn't nor have the Gaanax adi Clans permission to speak or represent us! Gaanax adi Clan will speak for us and for our Tribe's future.

Personally, I would hate to give up millions of acres of all our Rights to Ancestral Lands for a mere 23,040 acres from the Federal Government. If the Tongass Tribe wants to go in that direction, it should be Tongass Tribe Village Corporation only. This is my Gaanax adi opinion, part two. I am Gaanax adi Clan from the Drifted to Shore House and Raven House, Taan ta Kwaan. This is my god given right opinion only.

Aan Kadax Tseen aka Don Hoff Jr.
Gaanax adi Clan
Drifted to Shore House/Raven House
Taan ta Kwaan
Ketchikan, AK

About: "Past: Vice-Mayor of City of Ketchikan and City Council member.
K.P.U. Boardmember, O.S.H.A. Review Board Chairman and Boardmember, Ketchikan Indian Corporation Tribal Council and Gaanax adi Clan Elder of the Tongass Tribe."

Received March 14, 2009 - Published March 16, 2010

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