GAHA Awardee Introduction: ‘Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee

This month, we are sharing in-depth profiles of the three winners of the 2024 Governor’s Awards in the Humanities. Our second profile is of ‘Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee (Legal name change from Liz Medicine Crow) who is receiving the Leadership in Humanities Award. This award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped strengthen communities through their commitment to improve Alaska's social, economic, and civic life. Vice President of Programs Polly Carr spoke with ‘Láaganaay about this award and her transformational work engaging Alaskan communities.

‘Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee (legal name changed to her Haida first name and clan for her last name from Liz Medicine Crow) is both Haida and Tlingit from Kéex’ Kwáan, the Mouth of the Dawn People. On her Tlingit side, she is Raven Kaach.ádi, Fresh Water-marked Sockeye Salmon, from the X̱’áakw Hít. Kat Saas is her Lingit name. She is the grandchild of the Tsaagweidí, the Killerwhale People from the House that Anchors the Village. As a Haida, she comes from Gaw Tlagee (Massett), Haida Gwaii then Hydaburg and finally Kake. She is an Eagle Tsiits Git’anee, Hummingbird. Her grandfather was K’anaheik Thomas Jackson Sr. of Kéex’, her grandmother was Neunkwiigeigitkíiaaneuns Mona (Ingram/Frank) Jackson. ‘Láaganaay’s parents are Sdaahlk’awáas Della and the late Bill Cheney who made homes in both Kake and Juneau. Her home is and always will be in Kake and she is based in her village.

What does the word “humanities” mean to you?

It’s always been incredible to me how our Ancestors really understood the things we need as humans to thrive. They invented and innovated ceremonies and understandings that allowed us to live in ways that today we are still grappling with understanding. Ceremonies that help us through the hardest of times, during losses of loved ones, through conflict, through rites of passage to ensure we can be part of maintaining and strengthening the health and wellbeing of our peoples and be in right relationship with our world, our homelands.

I remember when I first met you, and you introduced the phrase to me, ‘What’s good for Alaska Natives is good for all Alaskans.’ It completely shifted my worldview. Your nominator Courtney Carothers also shared the profound impact this way of seeing and thinking had on her. Can you tell us more about this?

This is actually a quote that was originally said by Senator Benny Shendo (Pueblo) of New Mexico, who shared it with my Maori brother, Bentham Ohia of Aotearoa who extrapolated it with his people, and when we heard it we extrapolated it for our peoples and circumstances as well. It has now become a shared international inter-tribal principle because it reflects our shared experiences and understandings of our current experiences as Native peoples who have so much to offer to the betterment of the world.

Was there a moment in your life when you just knew it was your calling to do what you do? Is there a story you can share?

Absolutely not. LOL! I had a much different idea about what I’d be doing with my life. And yet somehow, it has morphed together now so I can look back and see the map of my life as created by my Ancestors, Elders and family. I can see where their pushes here, and pulls there, support here and direction there, have led me to where I am. When I was a young person, maybe between Kindergarten and 3rd grade, I would be super nosey and loved to hear what the adults, especially my grandparents, were talking about. One time my grandfather called me over and speaking in Lingít, he told the folks around the table that I was going to grow up and be a lawyer and come back home and help our people. In my mind, I was like, nope, I’m going to be an artist. But lo and behold, my destiny was orchestrated long before I even came into the picture. I’m so grateful they dreamed about me and made a pathway to do work for our peoples.

The Leadership in Humanities award recognizes the work being done to strengthen communities. Can you share one of the most meaningful experiences you have had connecting people across differences to strengthen community?

When you hear an Elder tell you after a dialogue where really hard things were talked about, that they never thought such a dialogue would ever happen in their lifetime, and then encourages more of it, pushes and challenges it to be done even better, you know you are on the right track. Elders don’t waste their breath, so you have to listen up and get to it!

The recognition really is for our Ancestors, Elders, and our incandescent Alaska Native peoples collectively.

What does this award mean to you?

When you work with people side by side, hosting and doing some of the hardest work - managing the human dynamics around discussions of race, racial equity, justice, and decolonization while also working to educate folks about our amazing Alaska Native community, political status, layers of governance, and doing advocacy and direct policy engagement - you see these people rise and shine in incredibly difficult situations. It’s always amazing to bear witness to the grace, the spirit, and the love these folks give to doing this work. The people who nominated me are those people so this award means they see and cherish our Alaska Native peoples. While in today's world awards are given to a person at one moment in time, and while I’m honored to be a conduit for this, the recognition really is for our Ancestors, Elders, and our incandescent Alaska Native peoples collectively.

‘Láaganaay has centered Indigenizing, hosting, engagement, mentoring and training others in pursuing their aspirations, hosting and facilitating difficult dialogues, as well as advocacy and policy work to advance Native peoples and protect our homelands. Currently she is taking a ‘gap’ year after leaving First Alaskans to focus on learning both her Lingít and Xaad kil languages, spending time with family and friends, and helping community and organizations with projects to support their critical work, including teaching two UAF upper division classes.

Join the Forum and the Alaska State Council on the Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the Anchorage Museum to celebrate the 2024 Governor’s Awards! Get your tickets here.