As the motor vessel Hubbard approached Angoon’s ferry terminal on Friday, Oct. 25, passengers could hear the sound of a drumbeat over the wakes and the ship’s humming engines. The sun was setting behind cloudy skies. It was cold and yet the port was filled with Tlingit leaders and community members dressed in traditional regalia to welcome Rear Adm. Mark Sucato, Commander of Navy Region Northwest, who arrived to issue an official apology to the village on behalf of the Navy.
The drum provided the rhythm for the group Xudzidaakwaan Dancers of Angoon – translated to People of the Burnt Village.
“Normally it is traditional to have the eagles and ravens have their own dance groups per village,” dance leader Matthew Carlson said. “Because of the bombardment it was decided by the elders that they dance together, the eagle and raven clans of Angoon.”
He said that Matthew Carlson is his English name and that he was recently given a new name by his clan – Ga’xe. It means ‘the man who made the whale hat’. “And it comes from Klukwan.”
Carlson and the group sang the incoming song to welcome the visitors. He wore a red and black blanket with a wolf design made by his grandmother Elizabeth Johnson Fred. He also wore a headband with a Killer Whale (Clan) design on it. “Our clan owns three crests,” he said. “Wolf, bear, and killer whale.”
Carlson also held eagle feathers, moving them deliberately when he sang. “The dancing feathers guide the people and dancers. One can also move around freely directing traffic with the dancing feathers,” he said.
Carlson is from the drum house in Klukwan. He said his crest is from his mother, Maxine Thompson. But dancing comes from his father’s side of the family, so representing Klukwan during the ceremony was important.
“My primary job is to make them look good in every way possible, in my utmost sincerity,” he said.
Carlson said his passion for dancing comes from his father and grandfather’s people. “This is how we show ourselves in Klukwan, our men, our chests are out and our chin is up, and they’ll know who, which men are from Klukwan.”
His role in the ku.éex’ or potlatch, was to make sure that everything flowed smoothly as much as possible, due to the importance of the ceremony.
Carlson believes that the Naval apology was necessary for his community. “It’s very important as a people, that we kill our mourning and our sorrow, so that we don’t become men and women of constant grief,” he said. For Carlson it affects the mind, body and soul.
He also said he believes his relatives were there and will continue to be around. “Our relatives and ancestors, they’re here right now, and that includes Klukwan, the raven beavers from my grandfathers and my fathers as a Chilkat wolf. I’m here to honor them.”