3. Juneau Voices: Nita Coronell
It takes sweat, determination, and a lot more than 10,000 steps… and Nita becomes an Ati Atihan Filipino Drummer and Dancer. She does it to honor one man and all he represents.
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More about this story
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Juneau Voices #3 is located at Admiralty Way & South Franklin Street.
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Ati Atihan means “to be like Atis.” Atis is the local name for the original inhabitants of Panay Island in the Philippines. In this installation, you hear Juneau’s Ati Atihan Drummers.
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On October 13, 2014, the City of Juneau dedicated Manila Square, honoring the contributions of Filipino men, many of whom worked in Southeast canneries and the Alaska Juneau Gold Mine in the 1930s and 1940s.
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In Juneau’s Manila Square, a bust commemorates the Filipino national hero Dr. José P. Rizal. Rizal was a prolific artist, writer, and linguist. He helped lead the Filipino people in a revolution that freed the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule.
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To spend more time with Nita Coronell, please visit: https://www.aanyatxu.org/nita-coronell
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The narrators for Juneau Voices are David Katzeek, Kingeisti, an Eagle, and Erin Tripp, Xáalnook, a Raven.
NITA CORONELL
SOUND: Eagle calls.
NARRATOR 1:
This is Juneau Voices Number 3. Admiralty Way and South Franklin Street. How many thousands and millions of people have passed by here?
NARRATOR 2:
Tlingit people walking the beach.
NARRATOR 1:
Miners living in cabins.
NARRATOR 2:
I can see the ruins of the mine up there.
NARRATOR 1:
Commercial fishermen docking here to sell their fish.
NARRATOR 1:
Raven has seen it all. Yéil.
SOUND: Raven calls.
NARRATOR 2:
Yéil is sitting on top of that monument over there. That’s Doctor José Rizal – he’s known as a national hero of the Philippines.
NITA:
This is an important place for us… the Filipino community of Juneau.
NARRATOR 1:
This is Nita Coronell.
NITA:
I’m half Filipino and half Tlingit…. daughter of Sam and Dorothy Coronell.
SOUND: Raven’s call and a musical phrase send us back in time.
NARRATOR 1:
1994
NARRATOR 2:
1994
NITA:
I’m 36 years old. I’ve worked in Anchorage and now Seattle. My dad back home in Juneau passes away. We’re devastated. My Mom says,
NARRATOR 2 (as Nita’s mother):
“Nita, it’s time for you to be living back here. Where you belong.”
NITA:
I knew I’d come home someday. So now it’s time. It’s my first 4th of July in Juneau in a long time. One of the biggest holidays of the year. I walk downtown to see the parade with family.
SOUND of loud drums and cheers.
NITA:
Who are those drummers? Who are they?!
NARRATOR 2:
Don’t you know?! It’s Ati Atihan! The Filipino Community dancers and drummers!
NITA:
I see dancers in incredible costumes. Grand Eagle headdresses, yellow and white.
Huge brown wingspans. It’s like a spell is being cast over me. My heart is beating with the drums.
SOUND: Ati Atihan Drumming continues, with whistles cheers.
NARRATOR 2:
1997.
NARRATOR 1:
July 4, 1997
NITA:
Now I am a member of Ati Atihan! I’m wearing the full eagle costume. It’s so hot. This costume is so heavy and awkward. But it doesn’t stop me from dancing throughout the entire parade. I’ve got my step counter attached to my shorts. And I dance 10,000 steps.
NARRATOR 1:
2002.
NARRATOR 2:
2002
NARRATOR 1:
The City of Juneau is dedicating this square, right here. They’re putting up the Dr Rizal monument.
NITA:
During this dedication, we’re honoring the Filipinos who first came here to Juneau. …like my dad.
SOUND: Ati Atihan drumming.
NITA:
Look at this crowd! Feel this energy! I’m drumming, and my five brothers and my sister are dancing. There’s our mom in the square. I’m dancing for my Dad!
SOUND: The drumming ends.
NARRATOR 1:
When the ceremony ends, everyone is invited to share a traditional dinner at the Filipino Hall.
NARRATOR 2:
Right over there—a few doors up the street.
NARRATOR 1:
Pancit
NARRATOR 2:
Adobo
NARRATOR 1:
Dinuguan.
NARRATOR 2:
Lumpia.
NARRATOR 1:
And so many desserts.
NITA:
Thank you to the Filipino community for making me feel like family. Salamut.
SOUND: Raven’s call and a musical phrase bring us back to the present.
NARRATOR 2:
I see Raven, hopping off the Dr Rizal monument. We’re going to follow, to Juneau Voices Number 4. Walk toward the water again, then turn right on Marine Way until you get to Ferry Way. Juneau Voices Number 4.
