November 25, 2020, by Kristina Tirman

To honor Native American and Alaska Native Heritage month, we want to recognize and elevate the intersections between western science and traditional, place-based science that has been connected to the environment since time immemorial.

The Sitka Sound Science Center is situated on Tlingit Aaní. Aaní is the Tlingit word for land, and Tlingit people have been here for 10,000 years. As we have learned from Sitka Tribe of Alaska culture bearer Chuck Miller, the name Sitka is derived from the abbreviated Shee Atika, meaning the people on the outside of Shee, with Shee being the Tlingit name for the island we call home. (https://mysealaska.com/Communities/Sitka)

We have much to learn from the Tlingit people and other Indigenous voices. Check out this National Park Service resource list to hear from Indigenous Scientists.

Download the worksheet below to learn more and for some fun activities!