Tlingit clans facts for kids

The Tlingit clans are important family groups of the Tlingit people. These people are Native Americans who live in Southeast Alaska in the United States. Tlingit people also live in parts of British Columbia in Canada and the southern Yukon Territory. There are two main Tlingit family lines, called moieties, in Alaska. These are then divided into many smaller clans and houses.

Tlingit Family Groups: Moieties

The Kiks.ádi totem pole in Wrangell, Alaska.

The Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska organize their society into two main family groups called moieties. Each of these large groups is then split into many smaller clans. Every clan has its own special history, songs, and totems (animal symbols). These clans form a network of extended families. They also act as a political unit in Tlingit society. This means they work together and make decisions for their group.

The two main Tlingit moieties are the Raven (Yéil) and the Eagle/Wolf (Ch'aak'/Gooch). The Eagle/Wolf group has two names because its main symbol changes depending on whether the group lives in the northern or southern parts of Tlingit land. This difference might be because of influence from nearby tribes like the Haida, Tsimshian, and Nisga'a. Each moiety is further divided into clans, and each clan is divided into houses.

Clan Names, Symbols, and Leadership

Tlingit clans have names that often tell a story about how the clan began. In English, clans are often called by the name of their main symbol, or "crest." For example, the Deisheetaan clan might be called the "Beaver Clan." However, this isn't always exact. Some symbols can be used by more than one clan. Sometimes, clans from different moieties might even claim the same symbol. This usually happens if one clan owes a debt to another. Until the debt is paid, the clan that is owed money might use the other clan's symbol to show that a debt is due.

Clan membership is passed down through the mother's side of the family. This system is called matrilineal. Children are born into their mother's clan. They get their status and traditional leadership positions from her family. Parents must belong to different clans. The father is important, but the mother's brothers often play a bigger role in raising the children.

Not all the clans listed below still exist today. Some have joined other clans. Others have died out because there were no female descendants to carry on the family line. A few have been lost to history. Also, not all clans are completely separate. For example, the Kak'weidí clan came from the Deisheetaan clan. Some members say they are a "house" within the Deisheetaan clan. Others believe they are a small but fully independent clan.

Meet the Tlingit Clans

Below is a list of Tlingit clans. The Tlingit name of the clan is given first, with its main symbol in parentheses. Then, you'll see the different kwáan (regions or villages) where they are found. Known houses (smaller family units) are listed under each clan.

Clans of the Raven Moiety (Yéil naa)

• Gaanax.ádi — Galyáx, Xunaa, T'aaku, Aak'w, S'awdáan, Takjik'aan, Taant'a
• Táakw.aaneidí
• L'uknax.ádi (Coho salmon)
• Gaanaxteidee (hibernation frog/strong man/wood worm)
• T'éex'.ádi
• Ishkeetaan/Ishkahítaan (Ganaxteidee) (Hibernation Frog) same as Ganaxteidee (di)
• L'ukwnax.ádi
• X'at'ka.aayí
• Koosk'eidí/Xaas híttaan
• X'alchaneidí
• Kiks.ádi (Frog/Herring, Rock)
• Teeyhíttaan
• Teeyineidí
• Deisheetaan (Beaver/Dragonfly)
• Aanx'aakíttaan/Aanx'aak híttaan
• L'eeneidí (Dog Salmon)
• T'akdeintaan (Sea Pigeon)
• L'ukwaax.ádi
• Noowshaka.aayí
• Kwáashk'ikwáan/Kwáashk' Kwáan
• Weix'hineidí
• Yéeskaneidí
• L'ookwhineidí
• Kuyeidí
• Téel' híttaan
• Sakwteeneidí/Sukwteeneidí
• Kijookw híttaan/Gijookw híttaan
• Taneidí
• Kookw híttaan
• Kayaa.ádi
• Tukwyeidí/Tukwweidí
• Kaasx'agweidí
• Taalkweidí
• Kuyéik'.ádi
• HeHL -non Tlinget Indigenous Peoples(Raven Moieties- Bear/Badger/Wolf/Sea Monster)

Clans of the Eagle/Wolf Moiety (Ch'aak'/Gooch naa)

• Kaagwaantaan (WOLF)
• Yanyeidí
• Lkweidi
• Teikweidí BROWN BEAR
• Dagisdinaa
• Jishkweidí
• Dakl'aweidí -(House/Killer Whale Clan/Wolf Clan)
• Shangukeidí - THUNDERBIRD
• Wooshkeetaan - SHARK
• Chookaneidí - GLACIER BEAR
• Kadakw.ádi
• Tsaateeneidí
• S'eet'kweidí
• Kookhittaan - BEAR - BOX HOUSE
• Tsaagweidí - killerwhale
• Nees.ídi
• Was'ineidí - BEAR
• Naasteidí
• Kayaashkeiditaan
• Naanyaa.aayí
• Sik'nax.ádi
• Xook'eidí
• Kaax'oos.hittaan
• Neix.ádi (Eagle/Beaver/Halibut)