The Story of the Town Bear and the Forest Bear
Written by Ernestine Hayes (Saankalaxt’), illustrated by Wanda Culp (Kashudoha), translated by Ethel Makinen (Daasdiya) and Roby Littlefield (Koolyeikh), and published in Tlingit for children and adults alike, Aanka Xóodzi ka Aasgutu Xóodzi Shkalneegi tells a timeless tale of the dangers of giving up something we love for the promise of an easy life.
Other complementary resources in the project include a Tlingit audiobook cd (read by Florence Sheakley, Paul Marks, and Kassy Littlefield) and a study guide (written in English) that offers questions and points of discussion around the book’s main themes.
Download the audiobook here. (mp3)
The book, audiobook cd, and study guide are available for purchase at our online store.
A book-release event was held May 8, 2011 at the Goldbelt Hotel in Juneau.
Families, youth, adults and elders from the community came out to support the project and were treated to a presentation/discussion from the book’s creators. Author Ernestine Hayes, illustrator Wanda Culp, translators Roby Littlefield and Ethel Makinen, audiobook featured speaker Paul Marks, project-coordinator and co-owner of Hazy Island Books Liz Dodd, and AASB’s Sally Rue spoke about their involvement with the project, their hopes for its impact in schools and living rooms, and what it means to Southeast Alaska Native culture, present and future.
Aanka Xóodzi in the Media:
- A Juneau Afternoon (KTOO radio show)– May 6, 2011
- London Guardian (newspaper)
- Juneau Empire (newspaper)
- Daily Sitka Sentinel (newspaper – at juneauempire.com)