Shakes (Tlingit leaders) facts for kids

Chief Shakes is a very important leadership title for the Tlingit people. The Tlingit are native people from the northwestern part of North America. This special title has been passed down through many generations in their families.

The Story of Chief Shakes

How the Title Began

Long ago, there was an orphan boy named Gush X’een. His name meant "Dorsal Fin Screen." He was part of the Teikweidí clan. The leader of another clan, the Naanya.aayí, liked Gush X’een and raised him like his own nephew. When that leader passed away, Gush X’een became the new leader of the clan.

At that time, people from the Nass River, called the Naaskwaan (who were Nisga'a and Tsimshian people), were trying to enter the Stikine River area. Their leaders were Wiisheyksh, Yaxweiyxsh, and Xagáksh.

Wiisheyksh asked Gush X’een if his people could fish in the Stikine River. Gush X’een said no. Wiisheyksh then threatened to take the land by force. As they left, they took a special burial pole belonging to the Naanya.aayí leader who had recently died.

The Naanya.aayí got ready for war. Their spiritual leader, called an íxt’, told them when the Nisga'a were coming. The Naanya.aayí moved to the mouth of the Stikine River. Gush X’een told some of his men to hide near the cliffs. The rest of his clan and their allies hid among the islands nearby.

More than 100 Northwest Coast canoes filled with Nisga'a warriors came towards the Naanya.aayí. Wiisheyksh stepped out of his canoe. He was wearing symbols of the killer whale and a special headdress. He walked up to Gush X’een.

Wiisheyksh told Gush X’een that he was foolish to be in a place where he couldn't escape. He said, "Today you will carry my water for me." This meant he planned to make Gush X’een his slave. But Gush X’een gave a signal. Hundreds of canoes appeared from the islands! Gush X’een then replied to Wiisheyksh, "Today, it is you who will be carrying my water for me."

The battle began. The Naanya.aayí defeated 150 Nisga'a warriors. Wiisheyksh knew he could not win. He did not want to become Gush X’een's slave. So, he gave his killer whale headdress to Gush X’een.

Gush X’een put the hat on his own head. He said, "I will not only take your hat, but I will take your name as well." The name Wiisheyksh became a Tlingit name for the Naanya.aayí. It was shortened to Sheiyksh, which is pronounced Shakes.

The Naanya.aayí gave proper burials to the fallen warriors from the Tsimshian villages. They believed in a Tlingit idea called Woosh yáa awudaéi, which means "Respect For Each Other." Dying bravely in battle was something the Shx’at Kwaan people respected. After the ceremonies, the Naanya.aayí sent two canoes full of food and supplies with the Nisga'a survivors. They made sure they were well cared for on their journey home.

A year later, the Naanya.aayí heard the Nisga'a were returning. They went to Lúkaax (Little Duncan Canal) and got ready for another fight. But the Nisga'a got stuck in shallow water. From their canoes, they called out that they wanted peace. A peace ceremony was held. Important names from both sides were shared. It was at this ceremony that the title of "Shakes" was officially passed on.

Who Became Chief Shakes Next

After Gush X’een passed away, the title of Shakes went to his "maternal nephew." This means it went to his sister’s oldest son, Gookshí. He became Shakes II. The title then passed to Gookshí's younger brother, X’adanéik, who became Shakes III. He was also known as Tl’akwu Sheiyksh. His wife was a Ganhada woman from Tlakw Aaan (Klukwan) named Yoowduhaan.

The next chief was Shakes IV, known as Keishíshk’. His wife was S’eitlin, a Deisheetaan woman from Aan goon (Angoon). When she married, she walked across eight special copper shields called tin.aa. This showed how important and wealthy her family was.

When Shakes IV died, Kaawishté became Shakes V. He moved the village from Kaasitl Aan to its current location, Kaachx’ Aan Aak’w. He held the title of Shakes longer than any other chief. He passed away in 1878.

His own maternal nephew, Gush Tlein, became Shakes VI in 1878. Gush Tlein's mother was Koodeilgé. He was chief until 1916. After him, his nephew, Charlie Jones, became Chief Shakes.

Chief Shakes in the 1900s

Charlie Jones became Chief Shakes VII. In 1922, he was arrested for voting. At that time, many Native Americans were not considered U.S. citizens. They did not automatically have the right to vote. In 1924, a law was passed that gave Native Americans citizenship. However, voting rights were still not fully guaranteed for everyone.

Charlie Jones was represented in court by a famous Tlingit lawyer from Wrangell, Mr. William Paul. Jones was found not guilty. This case helped Native Americans gain the right to vote.

This was also a time when many missionary groups, especially the Presbyterian Church, tried to change Tlingit culture. They tried to stop Tlingit people from speaking their language and practicing their customs. Children in white schools were punished for speaking Tlingit. Parents were even jailed if they kept their children at traditional fish camps instead of sending them to these schools.

Adults who took part in their own cultural activities were sometimes banned from the church. They were also treated badly by some church members.

In Wrangell, the Presbyterian Church had many Native members. One white minister decided that Native people should have their own separate church. This was because he did not want white people to mix with them. The entire Native congregation felt insulted by this. They left the Presbyterian Church. Instead, they invited the Episcopal Church to Wrangell. The Episcopal Church is still very important in Wrangell today.

One of the new "white" laws said that property and titles could no longer be passed from an uncle to his nephew, which was the traditional way. Instead, they had to go from father to son. Because of this, the wife of Shakes VI kept almost all of her husband's property. She would not let his nephew, Charlie Jones, take it. The property was then sold off piece by piece.

In the 1930s, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps decided to build a traditional community house. They wanted it to be in the old style. Some elders who remembered how these houses were built were still alive. The chosen spot in Wrangell was "Shakes Island." This was where the main clan houses of the Naanya.aayí once stood. Charlie Jones was known as the rightful successor to Shakes VI. He was asked to officially accept the title of Shakes VII.

List of Chief Shakes

See also

• Sheet'ká Ḵwáan Naa Kahídi