Glacier Bay National Park, located in Alaska, has been home to people for thousands of years. The Huna Tlingit people, who lived in the area for centuries, were forced to abandon their homes in the mid-18th century due to advancing glaciers. Despite occasional visits for hunting and fishing, the changing landscape made it impossible for them to live there permanently. The area was designated a national monument in 1925, making it seem like the displacement would be permanent.
In 2016, a historic moment occurred when the National Park Service and the Hoonah Indian Association collaborated to bring Xunaa Shuká Hít to life. This ancestral tribal house, which translates to “Huna Ancestors’ House,” serves as a space for tribal ceremonies and a living history museum. It allows visitors to learn about Huna Tlingit culture, history, and oral traditions.
The construction of Xunaa Shuká Hít was a labor of love by three Tlingit craftsmen: Gordon Greenwald, Owen James, and Herb Sheakley, Sr. They spent countless hours carving their ancestors’ stories into trees and wooden panels with meticulous detail. The process took place in a large carving shed in Hoonah, Alaska, where the artisans, along with help from friends and neighbors, worked on various elements of the house.
The totem poles in Xunaa Shuká Hít are not just decorative pieces but serve as structural supports and tell the stories of the Tlingit clans. Each motif represents a chapter in the oral history of the community, based on real events rather than mythical tales. The totems frame an elaborately carved wall that depicts different clans’ histories in a geographical representation.
After the dedication of Xunaa Shuká Hít in 2016, additional totem poles were raised in front of the house in 2017, followed by the Yaa Naa Néx Kootéeyaa, or Healing Pole, in 2018. These additions further enrich the cultural significance of the site and provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the Huna Tlingit heritage.
To experience the rich history and culture of Xunaa Shuká Hít, visitors can plan a visit to Glacier Bay National Park and explore the Huna Tlingit Homeland. The collaborative effort between the National Park Service and the Hoonah Indian Association has created a sanctuary for the future, preserving the traditions and stories of the Huna Tlingit people for generations to come.
