My name is Koosh Goonx, Lisa Edenshaw, (Portage of Gold) my gifted name of my mother's. My mother, Jean Ester was a Tlingit from a village of Klawock. She was not only the matriarch of 13 children, but she was also a traditional person. Her and my family taught us harvesting techniques and being patient was a very important part of gathering food, since some food took a while to preserve and package. Jean Ester was a homemaker and became an applique artist. Over time her creativity showed in her work and became a skilled artist. After her passing in 2021, her designs were shared with her children to carry on the talented work of our mother.My father was Gerald Edenshaw Sr., a Haida descendant from a village of Hydaburg, Alaska. His hometown is on the same island where my mother was born and raised. My dad's family originates from a place called Haida Gwaii, located in Canada near Seattle, Washington. It was about 200 years ago, his Haida family relocated to this area where they still live a great lifestyle. Even though my parents divorced, they remained friends. This was an excellent way to show us children, just because relationships don't work, doesn't mean your friendship can't last.
I come from a background of artists, applique artist, cedar weavers, totem carvers, native form line drawing, soap stone carvers and seamstress. Our work shows meaning behind this tradition. We use red and black colors when painting, drawing and beading. You can see some of the labor and love that we put in our work on my Facebook page. Ketchikan: Tlingit Tours.
In Southeast Alaska, there are three tribes, Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian natives. There are over 200 Federally recognized tribes throughout Alaska and about 20% are native population within the State. Ketchikan has the largest Totem Pole collection in the United States. We have four beautiful locations to see these cedar monuments in Ketchikan. They represent our people and events, and some are mortuary poles made out of red cedar. Some people believe we worshiped the totems. They are sacred and also symbolize births, marriages, animals and people. I can show you the difference in the totems located in Ketchikan. The house frontal poles, interior house posts, mortuary poles, memorial poles, welcome and ridicule poles. A traditional emblem of our families and clans. In the Spring of 2021, I began showing an interest in our medicinal and edible plants. I started going to classes online and local events. Since my car accident, oftentimes I been experiencing pain since 2005. For pain management, I been educating myself by reading and studying our plant medicine. We have plants that help with pain, such as neck pain, headaches and sore muscles. Some are known to possibly help with cancer and diabetes, like our Devils Club salve and tea. Our red cedar branches are great for cold and flu. This red cedar is known as Grandmother and is sacred to the indigenous people. We use the branches as a cedar steam in a large cooking pot, you would place your head, covered with a towel over the steam. You can soak your aching body in a hot red cedar bath. The medicinal and edible plants been passed down for generations. While on your tour, I bring some of the medicine plants with me. This will help give you a greater experience of the people and our way of life when it comes to healing in health and wellness. If you're interested in any of the products that some of the locals have to purchase, I can put you in touch with them personally. I will fill my medicine cabinet to resemble my ancestors. We respect the mother land and have a special way of gathering. There are guidelines we follow and respect. I recommend having a local representative or me, take you out into nature and explore the forest. You can quiet possibly feel the energy that is part of our lifestyle. You will truly develop a relationship with the forest, the trees and beautiful plants.
The City of Ketchikan was incorporated in 1900.The community started developing with churches, schools, prospectors and minors. Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. We have five species of salmon: Chum, Sockeye, Silver, King and Pink. Currently, the fishing and cruise ships help with our local economy. The Pulp Mill started operation in Ketchikan about 1954 and ended in 1997 and was one of the largest employers. It was part of the U.S. Forest Service economic development programs for southeast Alaska. Today, the Pulp Mill is used as a cruise ship dock. The port offers unique and fun activities to our visitors. Check their website for more details. The Mill at Ward Cove still have buildings from the old days, when it was in operation. It was in 2021 that added the new event for us in Ketchikan. After years of watching logging trucks, the pulp mill operation, logs in the water at the cove, and tugboats hauling timber to the spruce mill. Now we see beautiful ships arriving with many happy visitors.
I have two tour packages to choose from. Thank you for visiting my website.
Gunalche'esh, Lisa Edenshaw
Tlingit and Haida Tribal Member
