September 30, 2006
Saturday

This is a retort to Janelle Hamilton's opinion, Represent who? Yes, I represent only the Yie l Hit (Raven House) Gaanax adi Clan of the Taan ta Kwaan (Sea lion People) or known as Tongass Tribe in Ketchikan, Alaska. How hard is that to understand? I know better than to even try to speak or represent Tek weidi Clans or Dakl aweidi Clans of the Taan ta Kwaan or Taan ta Kwaan. The Gaanax adi Clan is one of oldest Clans if not the oldest in the Tlingit Nation. I am certainly not speaking for the Haida Nation, Tsimshian Nation or any Nation. I have been writing opinion letters for over 25 years on issues that affect my family, friends and Tribe. My Indian name is Aan Kadax Tseen; it was given to me by Albert Davis- Chief of the Coho Clan in Sitka. The name Albert was given by his parents when he was born.

Aan Kadax Tseen has done good deeds, has strong values and integrity for his Tribe and Community of Ketchikan. It was me and a Tribal brother (I will keep nameless for now) that re-organized the Taan ta Kwaan in the mid-80's to conduct Tribal business. It was in my dining room where it was decided to re-carve the Chief Johnson Totem (Kad-juk Hit). We raised a total of $110,000 dollars for the three-day Potlatch. The Tribe didn't take a dime of the money raised, except we paid the carver and spent the rest for food and gifts for the Potlatch. I clearly understand the responsibilities and role as a Clan Leader. When I served on the K.I.C. Tribal Council we acquired the land for the new Native Health Clinic and your governing offices.

I did my community service also as City Councilman and Vice Mayor of City of Ketchikan and made some positive changes like; created Affirmative Action Office for Alaskan Native employment opportunities, stopped the City Council from changing the Totem Heritage Center and turn into a Multi-Cultural Center, motion to repair the water fountain at Ketchikan City Park, motion to repair the break-water at Buggie's Beach, motion to add cranes and gear float for the fisherman, secured funding for the repairs the Raven House at Totem Bight Park. I have done my good deeds.

We are cowards of our own destiny opinion was about Subsistence Rights we can't place all the blame on Caucasian people. What are our Native Leaders doing to protect our Subsistence Rights, our Inherent Rights to hunt and fish? We are gutless and we are doing nothing was my point and we will get what we deserve because of lack of any kind of Native Leadership. There is going to be a Federal Subsistence Board hearing in Ketchikan soon. What a waste of time and waste of breathe for our people to speak on Subsistence to this board. We been arguing for our subsistence rights of 50 years or better and the Board heard our stories thousand times. What we should tell the Federal Subsistence Board is this is a waste of time and get the hell out of Ketchikan. I am getting tired of begging for food that is inherently ours in the first place. Screw them, if they have not given your subsistence rights back by now. What makes you think they are going to give you subsistence rights today? We as Native People never denied anyone the right to subsist for food for their families but the white people have. Pure discrimination. Here is a fun fact, 60% of subsistence users are non-native in Alaska. So, this is not just a Native issue.

Racism and discrimination is alive and well in Ketchikan and Alaska. Open your eyes. If it weren't for Regional Corporations, Village Corporations, I. H. S. Clinics, U.S. Forest Service, Ketchikan Indian Community, Saxman Community or other government agencies. Indian people in Ketchikan wouldn't have any meaningful jobs in Ketchikan.

In closing, I think you need to learn your history, culture and respect before you try to discredit me. My Elders called people that didn't know who they were or where they come from "lost souls". If you don't like what I am saying in my opinion letters, don't click on my name. What have you done for your Clan and Tribe lately? This is my opinion.

P.S. This is for Randy... I am aware of the landless situation and I know what is happening. I am making sure we or my Tribe don't get left out of any claims on Ketchikan again. We are going to recieve lands it is a matter of when. Additional land claims will benefit all Alaskans and Alaskan Natives.

Don Hoff Jr. aka Aan Kadax Tseen
Gaanax adi Clan
Yei l Hit
Taan ta Kwaan
Unukriver[at]aol.com
Hixson, TN - USA

Received: September 27, 2006 - Published September 30, 2006



About: "Past City Councilman and Vice Mayor - City of Ketchikan; Past Board of Director - Ketchikan Public Utilities; Past O.S.H.A. Review Boardmember - State of Alaska; Past I.R.A. Councilman - Ketchikan Indian Community. Tongass Tribe member of the Gaanax adi Clan, Yei l Hit (Raven House). "

Related Viewpoint:

Represent who? By Janelle Hamilton - Ketchikan, AK - USA

 

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