NW Coast Knife 23

This photo from the Alaska State Library Historical Collections is part of the Vincent Soboleff Photograph Collection, ca. 1896-1920. The description of the photo reads “The man holding the dagger is Gusht’eiheen (Spray Behind the Dorsal Fin) of the Killerwhale House of the Dakl’aweidí Clan in Angoon. The dagger he is holding was made by a man named Kucheesh, from a meteorite that fell near Klukwan. When it’s brought out in public the words to announce its arrival are “This came to us from the sky.” The Killerwhale Hat he is wearing (made by Dick Yéilnaawú to replace the original lost in the 1882 bombardment of Angoon) as well as the dagger, are in clan hands. The man on the left is Billy Jones (L.aangooshú, Nahóowu, Kaadeikuyáduxaakw) and his brother Billy Johnson (Aayéil, Kaakásh, Héendei) is holding the paddles in the front. Their sister Yíktusaan is on the right. These three are the children of Gusht’eiheen and their mother (not pictured) was known as Aank’awtseix.The man is back is known as Shkuwyéil. Identification courtesy of Harold Jacobs. Juneauempire.com