In Teslin we are Tlingit natives and we have 5 clans. In English the clan names are: Eagle, Wolfe, Frog, Crow and Beaver. All the natives that belong to the Tlingit natives belong to a clan. The way it is determined to which clan you belong is; follow your mother's line. For example, if your mother was Frog all her children would be in the Frog clan also. All these animals that are animals of the clans are very respected here in Teslin. Also when you are in a clan you have a Indian name which represents you. It doesn't exactly translate your name but it may have a special meaning that will stick with you for life. The way you get your Indian name is from an elder, or your parents will make up a name or give you a name from an elder from long ago that has already passed away . In the Tlingit tradition we respect everyone and everything, and we expect everyone to respect and abide our superstitions and rules. l am proud to be Tlingit and thank you for reading about us.
Rachel
The Deslin Khwan Dancers started off as a small group. The way that they became a group is by going to the Tlingit Celebration in Juneau, Alaska, This celebration is held every two years. When they first started off they had around thirty dancers now they only have a few more than when they first started off. The oldest person in their group is 68 and the youngest is about 5. They have only been performing for about 5 years.
They went to Whitehorse to perform at the commissioner's potlatch, the NWT to perform at the arts festival. They perform in their hometown at special events or to raise money for the group. Sometimes they perform for tourists that are traveling through in the summer; they also perform for Taiwanese people that come up to see the traditional ways of the Tlingit people.
They have raised money for the hockey players that go to the Native Hockey Tournament that takes place in Whitehorse every year. Just recently they asked for a donation to give money for the refugees over in Kosovo where the war is taking place.
In the summer time most of their dance group is on summer holidays and taking a break from work and dancing.
The Deslin Khwan Dancers perform to continue on their culture and to share it to others. They are teaching the young ones how to sing songs and teach them the traditional way so we don't lose their culture.
They want to raise enough money to go down to Mexico City to perform at the Lady of Guadaulupa.
They have dancers from all of the clans in the Tlingit tradition in Teslin but the two clans that all of the rest are under is Wolf and Raven.
There are more dance groups in Teslin but the Deslin Khwan Dancers are the main dance group in Teslin.
Most of the dancers that are in the group are just a big family.
They used to get together every few days to practice singing and dancing so that they can get better and they go just to have fun. They are going to start doing that more often because they haven't danced for so long and they need the practice.
A few of the dancers moved to Whitehorse, but whenever they perform for something important they come out and dance. Sometimes they go to Whitehorse and perform.
Every time before a performance they will gather in a circle and an elder will say a prayer for everyone.
I think that the Deslin Khwan Dancers will be together forever, they will always be teaching the next generation so that they don't lose their culture.
By: Ray Bob
