Yeilxaak facts for kids

Yeilxaak was a very important leader, known as a chief, of the Chilkat Tlingit people. He lived in a place called Klukwan. He was the first chief from Klukwan that Europeans met. His name is also spelled Yeilxáak and sometimes Ilkhak.

Who Was Chief Yeilxaak?

It's not exactly known when Yeilxaak became chief. But by the year 1788, he was a powerful leader. He was the head of the Gaanaxteidee clan. He was also the main chief for all the Tlingit people in Klukwan.

Meeting New People

In 1788, Yeilxaak met some Russian explorers. This happened during a trading visit to Yakutat. The explorers were named Izmailov and Bocharov. They wrote down his name as Ilkhak.

A Powerful Rival

In 1791, Yeilxaak became enemies with another strong chief. This chief was named X'unéi. X'unéi was a leader of the Yakutat Tlingit people. He was also the head of the L'ukwnax.ádi clan. Spanish explorers on the Malaspina Expedition wrote about this rivalry. Tlingit stories also tell about it.

Yeilxaak died in 1791. He was killed during a long and difficult war. This war was between the L'ukwnax.ádi clan from Yakutat and Yeilxaak's Gaanaxteidee clan from Klukwan.

His Family Tree

Yeilxaak was the son of K'uxshóo I and Yeidukdatán. He had two sisters, Nuwuteiyi and Kaaguneteen. After Yeilxaak passed away, his nephew Xetsuwu became the chief of Klukwan. Xetsuwu was the son of Nuwuteiyi. Later, another nephew, Shkeedlakáa, became chief. Shkeedlakáa was the son of Kaaguneteen.