From Sealaska Heritage:

SHI RELEASES BABY RAVEN READS BOOK ABOUT CELEBRATION (2022)

May 12, 2022

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has released a children’s book about the institute’s biennial dance-and-culture festival, Celebration, as seen from a young girl’s point of view.

The book, Celebration, is part of the SHI’s Baby Raven Reads, a program for Alaska Native families with children up to age 5 that promotes language development and school readiness.

The book brings readers into the life of one particular child, who has already learned about Celebration and who greatly anticipates the event, wrote SHI President Rosita Worl in the foreword.

“We see how grandparents in our society play an important role in teaching our youth about our traditional culture and the songs and stories of our clans. She clearly sees that Native culture and Celebration will continue to play an important part in her life,” Worl wrote.

The story begins with a trip to Juneau on a ferry and culminates with her dance performance at Centennial Hall, before she attends some of Celebration’s associated events, including the Toddler Regalia Review, the Native Artist Market and the Indigenous Fashion Show.

The original story was written by Wooshkindein Da.áat Lily Hope, who is Raven of the T'aḵdeintaan clan. It was illustrated Jaax̱snée Kelsey Mata Foote, who is Raven of the Taakw.aaneidí clan.