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

__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. 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. Intro: To Tell The Story -- Prologue: Beacon -- Part One. Jil'kaat Aani -- Sojourners -- Power Plays -- Moving Heaven And Earth In Klukwan -- Eagles In The Heart -- Part Two. Dleit Aan'kaawu -- True Believers -- Crossed Paths -- Unbecoming Indians -- To'watte's Canoe -- Brotherhood -- Wilder Than -- Trampling The Shaman -- Epilogue: The Wild Line. Daniel Lee Henry. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Across the Shaman's River is the story of one of Alaska'slast Native American strongholds, a Tlingit community closed offfor a century until a fateful encounter between a shaman, apreacher, and John Muir. Tucked in the corner of Southeast Alaska,the Tlingits had successfully warded off the Anglo influences thathad swept into other corners of the territory. This tribe wasviewed by European and American outsiders as the last wild tribeand a frustrating impediment to access. Missionaries andprospectors alike had widely failed to bring the Tlingit into theirpower. Yet, when John Muir arrived in 1879, accompanied by a fierypreacher, it only took a speech about "brotherhood"-and someencouragement from the revered local shaman Skandoo'o-to finallytransform these "hostile heathens." Using Muir's original journalentries, as well as historic writings of explorers juxtaposed withinsights from contemporary tribal descendants, Across theShaman's River reveals how Muir's famous canoe journey changedthe course of history and had profound consequences on the region'sNative Americans Contents 10 List of Illustrations 12 Foreword 14 Acknowledgments 18 Introduction 22 Prologue 32 Part One: Jilkáat Aaní 36 1. Sojourners 38 2. Power Plays 54 3. Moving Heaven and Earth in Klukwan 68 4. Eagles in the Heart 86 Part Two: Dleit Aankáawu 108 5. True Believers 110 6. Crossed Paths 122 7. Unbecoming Indians 144 8. To’watte’s Canoe 162 9. Brotherhood 184 10. Wilder Than 208 11. Trampling the Shaman 226 Epilogue 242 Selected Chronology 250 Glossary of Tlingit 255 Notes 256 Bibliography 278 Index 289