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Across the shaman's river: John Muir, the Tlingit stronghold, and the opening of the north

Date

2017

Authors

Henry, Daniel Lee, author
University of Alaska Press, publisher

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Abstract

Across the Shaman's River is the story of one of Alaska's last Native American strongholds, a Tlingit community closed off for a century until a fateful encounter between a shaman, a preacher, and John Muir. Tucked in the corner of southeast Alaska, the Tlingits had successfully warded off the Anglo influences that had swept into other corners of the territory. This tribe was viewed by European and American outsiders as the last wild tribe and a frustrating impediment to access. Missionaries and prospectors alike had widely failed to bring the Tlingit into their power. Yet, when John Muir arrived in 1879, accompanied by a fiery preacher, it only took a speech about 'brotherhood'--and some encouragement from the revered local shaman Skandoo'o--to finally transform these 'hostile heathens.' Using Muir's original journal entries, as well as historic writings of explorers juxtaposed with insights from contemporary tribal descendants, Across the Shaman's River reveals how Muir's famous canoe journey changed the course of history and had profound consequences on the region's Native Americans.--Provided by publisher.

Description

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Rights Access

Access is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University Denver, Regis University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University and Western Colorado University communities only.

Subject

Muir, John, 1838-1914 -- Travel -- Alaska -- Lynn Canal Region
Tlingit Indians -- Alaska -- Lynn Canal Region -- History -- 19th century
Muir, John, 1838-1914 -- Diaries
Tlingit Indians -- Cultural assimilation -- Alaska -- Lynn Canal Region -- History -- 19th century.
Tlingit Indians -- Missions -- Alaska -- Lynn Canal Region -- History -- 19th century
Naturalists -- Alaska -- Lynn Canal Region -- History -- 19th century
Shamans -- Alaska -- Lynn Canal Region -- History -- 19th century
Missionaries -- Alaska -- Lynn Canal Region -- History -- 19th century

Citation

Associated Publications