FRAN HOUSTON

NARRATOR 1:  

We’re here at Juneau Voices Number 9, the intersection of Egan Highway and Whittier Street. We’re standing on the traditional lands of the Áak’w Yax̱tetaan.

FRAN: 

I grew up in this area, right here. I learned about this place from my mother, Rosa Miller, and grandmother, Bessie Visiya.

NARRATOR 2: (E 01)

This is Fran Houston, the spokesperson for the Áak’w Yax̱tetaan, the Dipper House.

SOUND: Raven’s call and a musical phrase send us back in time.

NARRATOR 2: 

Time immemorial.

NARRATOR 1: 

Chʼáagu ḵáawu.

FRAN:

From time immemorial our people have been here. We have a summer fish camp and gardens near here along Gold Creek–

NARRATOR 1: 

Dzantikʼihéeni, the creek right over there, before the bridge. 

FRAN: 

This place is rich with everything we need:

NARRATOR 1:  

Téelʼ, Dog salmon

NARRATOR 2:  

Cháasʼ, Humpies

NARRATOR 1:  

Lʼook, Cohos

NARRATOR 2: 

Aashát, Steelhead

FRAN:  

Look towards the mountain from right here. It’s all tidelands. There’s not a glimmer of any buildings or streets. We have caretakers at all the streams where the salmon run. We have fish camps:

NARRATOR 2:

Sheep Creek

NARRATOR 1: 

Salmon Creek

NARRATOR 2:

Lemon Creek

NARRATOR 1: 

Duck Creek

NARRATOR 2: 

Fish Creek 

NARRATOR 1:  

Eagle River

NARRATOR 2: 

 And the rivers of Berners Bay

FRAN:  

We have gardens, and camps for drying halibut, and hunting and trapping. Our people know how to manage.

NARRATOR 2: 

The early 1960s.

NARRATOR 1: 

The early 1960s.

NARRATOR 2: 

The City of Juneau fills in this ground–

NARRATOR 1:  

This ground right here where we’re standing– 

NARRATOR 2: 

with mine tailings, separating the Juneau Indian Village from the ocean, never to have access to the tidelands again. 

NARRATOR 1: 

And the smokehouses at Aan Ká, Lemon Creek, are crowded out, when a road to the Valley is built.

NARRATOR 2: 

And Fish Creek becomes a City park.

NARRATOR 1: 

And the Áak’w Village at Eagle’s Landing 

becomes a Boy Scout Camp and a Methodist Camp.

FRAN: 

So much is taken away. 

NARRATOR 1: 

2018

NARRATOR 2: 

2018

FRAN: 

A local woman contacts me. Knowing that I’m Áak’w Yax̱tetaan, Dog Salmon, she returns something to me: a burial stone. A relative of hers had taken the stone from a gravesite. The engraving in the stone is recognizable: it’s a dog salmon.

FRAN: 

A sacred object of my people. Returned to us.

NARRATOR 1:

2019

NARRATOR 2:

2019

FRAN:

The mayor calls me to invite me to a meeting, about this land right here, where we are standing.

NARRATOR 1 (as mayor): 

“Because of the rich history of the Áak’w Ḵwaan, the City of Juneau would like to rename the Willoughby district the ‘Aak’w Village District’.”

SOUND: A gavel.

NARRATOR 1: 

June 24, 2019. A meeting of Juneau’s City Assembly. 

NARRATOR 2 (as assembly person): 

We’d like to invite Fran Houston to the microphone.

FRAN: 

On behalf of the Áak’w Yax̱tetaan, I want to thank you for this resolution.  It is an honor to have the Willoughby District renamed as Áak’w Village District. 

NARRATOR 2: 

It’s time for our vote on this resolution.

FRAN: 

The Assembly votes: YES.

NARRATOR 1: 

YES.

NARRATOR 2: 

YES. 

FRAN: 

The City and Borough of Juneau is recognizing that so much has been taken away from the indigenous people of this land. The Yax̱tetaan people are very, very happy about this. I’m walking back to my car… and I do the happy dance!

SOUND: Raven’s call and a musical phrase bring us back to the present.

NARRATOR 2:  

Raven is calling us toward Juneau Voices Number 10. It’s just across Whittier Street, in front of the Alaska State Museum.

NARRATOR 1:

Let’s meet over there, at sign number 10.