Taku people facts for kids
 Chief Anotklosh of the Taku Tribe, ca. 1913 |
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| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| United States (Alaska) | |
| Languages | |
| Tlingit, English | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tlingit |
The Taku are a group of Alaskan Native people. They are a ḵwáan, which means a special geographic part of the larger Tlingit nation. In their own language, they are called the Tʼaaḵu Ḵwáan. This name means "Geese Flood Upriver Tribe."
The Taku people lived along the northwestern coast of North America. Their home was in the area now known as the Alexander Archipelago in Alaska. They also lived along the lower part of the Taku River in British Columbia, Canada.
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A Look at Taku History
The main village where the Taku people lived in winter was up the Taku River. This area is now part of British Columbia in Canada. In spring, summer, and fall, families would spread out. They went to different areas to hunt, fish, and gather food for their clans.
The Taku people were very smart about trade. They controlled the main river in the area that is now Juneau, Alaska. This allowed them to be the main traders. They made sure that people from inland areas traded through them. This meant they were the "middle-men" for trade with white settlers.
Trading Posts and Gold Rush
In the early 1840s, the Hudson's Bay Company built a trading post. It was called Fort Durham and was located in Taku Harbor. This fort was built to use the important trade route along the Taku River. When the fort was built, the Taku people moved. They left their old winter village and settled near the fort.
Fort Durham was not profitable, so it was closed by 1843. However, the Taku people stayed in the fort area. They lived there until 1880. That year, gold was found in Juneau. The Taku people then moved again. They went to an area near Sheep Creek to work with the gold miners for wages.
Taku Clans and Houses
The Taku people, like other Tlingit groups, are divided into two main parts. These are called moieties. Each person belongs to either the Raven or the Wolf/Eagle moiety. Inside these moieties are different clans, and each clan has its own houses.
Raven Moiety Clans
- G̱aanax̱.ádi (People of G̱aanaax̱)
- Ishka Hít (Salmon Hole House)
- Yanwulihashi Hít (Drifted Ashore House)
- Yéil Hít (Raven House)
- Ishkahittaan (Salmon Hole People)
- Kooḵhittaan (Pit House People)
- Tooḵa.ádi (Needlefish People)
Wolf/Eagle Moiety Clans
- Yanyeidí
- Hit Tlein (Big House)
- Chʼaalʼ Hít (Willow House)
- Tsaateeneidí
- Xóots Hít (Brown Bear House)
- Yayuwaa Hít (Between The River Fork House)
- Sʼeetʼḵweidí
