North-South-East-West: American Indians and the Natural World
Heirlooms: Connections with the Ancestors
Crests, or emblems, of Tlingit families and clans represent creatures with whom an
ancestor has interacted in the legendary past. Through purchase by the ancestor,
often in exchange for his or her life, the descendants receive from the creature the
right of ownership of the crest and the accompanying story, song, name, and sometimes
Community memory is embedded in the heirlooms that display the crests. By alluding to
familiar stories, the crests evoke a rich cultural history in the same way that
the Christian cross alludes to an entire spiritual tradition. Relatives
identify with the objects through their genealogical connection and keep track of who has
possession of the heirlooms now, who had them in the past, and who will have them in the
When used in ceremonies, the crest treasures refer to the ancestral spirits and even
call upon the spirits represented for healing, courage, strength of purpose, and
assistance in the removal of grief. When Tlingit people wear items that contain the crests
they are in the presence of their ancestors.
Raven and Eagle Clans
Tlingit society is divided into two halves, or moities, named the Ravens and the Eagles.
Every Tlingit person belongs to one side or the other. Within each moiety, there are many
clans. Some of the clans of the Raven moiety include the Frog, Goose, Owl, Raven, Salmon, and
Sea Lion. Clans of the Eagle moiety include the Auk, Bear, Eagle, Shark, Whale, and Wolf.
Other Northwest Coast cultures have similar and equally complex social structures, some with
two divisions and some with more.
Image 1: Drum
This drum has a painted image of either a thunderbird or a Golden
Eagle on its interior, where the painting is protected from the
beating of the drumstick.
Rawhide, yellow cedar? (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), mineral?
paints, iron, commercial cotton; H 10.0 x D 74.0 cm; 24386-34, gift
of Dr. Oshin Agathon
Image 2: Frog Mask
Tlingit, collected 1904
Several clans of the Raven moiety use the frog as one of their
crests. This forehead mask could have been made for any of them.
Although called a frog, this image is likely that of Bufo
boreas borea, a toad common to the Tlingit region.
Red alder (Alnus rubra) or maple (Acer sp.), hair,
abalone (Haliotis sp.) shell, laundry blueing, natural
paints; L 17.0 x W 22.7 x H 12.5 cm; 3178-25