Auke facts for kids

The Auke are a group of Alaskan Native people. They are part of the larger Tlingit nation. The Auke call themselves Aakʼw Ḵwáan, which means "Small Lake People." They used to live along the coast of North America. This area is now known as the Alexander Archipelago and the Alaska Panhandle around Juneau.

The Auke had a main village on Auke Bay. This bay is just east of Point Louisa, about 13 miles northwest of Juneau. They held special festivals there each year. These festivals were linked to the harvest of herring during their spawning season.

In 1880, gold was found nearby in the Silver Bow Basin. U.S. naval officers then asked the Auke people to move. This was to prevent problems with the many miners and prospectors arriving. At that time, the Auke population was about 640 people. Some lived on Admiralty Island, some on Douglas Island, and others near Stephens Passage. This last group likely included those from the Point Louisa village.

The Auke people continued to visit what they called Indian Point. They returned every year for the herring harvest. They see this place as very special and sacred. It is important because they traditionally gathered food there. It also holds their historic village and a burying ground.

Local Auke people have worked to protect Indian Point. This area is located past the Juneau Ferry Terminal. It is just before the Auke Recreation Area. This recreation area is run by the U.S. Forest Service. Some government groups, like the National Park Service, wanted to build on this site.

The Tlingit people consider Indian Point sacred land. This is because of the burying ground and its role in their traditions. The city and state supported recognizing the 78-acre site. In August 2016, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This was the first traditional cultural property in Southeast Alaska to get this special recognition.

Clans and Houses of the Auke People

The Auke people were organized into groups called clans. These clans were based on family connections. Each clan was traditionally divided into different "houses." Large family groups often lived together in big longhouses.

Raven Moiety or Clan Divisions

The Raven Moiety is one of the two main groups within the Auke people. Here are some of its important clans and their houses:

• Lʼeeneidí (Gift Blanket People)
  • G̱aatáa Hít (Trap House)
  • Téelʼ Hít (Dog Salmon House)
  • Yax̱te Hít (Big Dipper House)
• Lʼuknax̱.ádi (Coho Salmon People)
  • Lʼook Hít (Coho Salmon House)
• G̱aanax̱.ádi (People of G̱aanax̱)
  • G̱aanax̱aa Hít (G̱aanax̱ Group House)
  • Yéil Hít (Raven House)

Wolf or Eagle Clan Divisions

The Wolf/Eagle Clan is the other main group. Here are some of its important clans and their houses:

• Wooshkeetaan
  • G̱unakadeit Hít (Sea Monster House)
  • Hít Tlein (Big House)
  • Noow Hít (Fort House)
  • Tóosʼ Hít (Shark House)
  • Xeitl Hít (Thunder/Thunderbird House)
  • Xóots Hít (Brown Bear House)