Cultural Connection: Students Discover Artifacts from Wrangell in DC

While in Washington, D.C., for the Annual U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a group of T3 Alaska students had the honor of a private tour of the National Museum of Natural History. Hidden within one of the museum’s five expansive buildings lies a remarkable collection of Wrangell tribal artifacts, seen only by a handful of people. Our guide Eric Holinger, an anthropologist and the tribal liaison at the Smithsonian, shared his knowledge of native history piqued the students’ interest in local Alaskan history and culture.

The collection holds thousands of artifacts carefully stowed away in drawers. Among the treasures discovered were intricately crafted dolls, earrings, and thousands more. Each object reflected the meticulous attention to detail and fine craftsmanship of the Tlingit people. We are thankful to the members of the Wrangell Cooperative Association, including Tribal Administrator Esther Ashton, Mike Hoyt, Frank Churchill, Sandy Churchill, and Luella Knapp, who invited us to join them at the facility. With their deep personal and cultural ties to these artifacts, the group was excited to learn more about their ancestors’ history.

The artifacts included not only small facets of life, but also includes one notable piece – Chief Shakes Canoe. As a major seafaring people, Chief Shakes Canoe is documented in pictures taken in the 1800s from numerous locations from Seattle to Skagway. Chief Shakes is from the Naanyaa.aayí clan of the Tlingit people, who have inhabited the Wrangell area for thousands of years. The lineage is deeply rooted in Tlingit culture and history, representing a connection to traditional governance and leadership.

One powerful moment was when Lu Knapp placed a nearly two hundred year old killer whale Chilkat robe onto Chief Shakes canoe. Mike Hoyt explained, these sacred objects called at.oow, carry the names of ancestors. As the robe was placed onto the canoe, Lustepped back with delight and said, “It feels good,” and closed the ceremony with the paddle song and dance around the canoe. It was incredibly beautiful and we were so privileged to have been in the presence of this moment.

The visit sparked discussions about how to bridge the community to these cultural traditions. The Wrangell Cooperative Association is working with the museum to repatriate the objects. Repatriating the artifacts is one step toward healing and a tremendously valuable connection for future generations. One conversation explored how 3D printing could support such efforts.

Excited by the possibilities, the Wrangell Cooperative Association was enthusiastic to involve students in scanning artifacts for future 3D replication. These projects circle back to the pillar of T3 Alaska program – students using the technology skills to give back to their communities.