A Tlingit clan hat was welcomed back to
southeast Alaska with ceremony and dance after
spending more than a century away.
A ceremony Sept. 25 included both an original
sculpin hat that was taken in 1884 from Sitka
and became part of the Smithsonian Institution’s
collection, and a newer replacement hat, which
was given to the Kiks.adi clan.
“It’s like seeing an old friend come around
the corner when you thought you’d never see
them again,” said clan leader Ray Wilson in an
interview with the Juneau Empire. During part
of the ceremony at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall,
Wilson donned the new hat.
The team-up and technology that led to the new
hat and ceremony are unprecedented as far as
the Smithsonian is aware.NEW TECHNOLOGY BRINGS OLD TLINGIT HAT BACK TO ALASKA
Image: Michael Penn