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Tom "TJ" Jimmie, Jr., Director

Daaxkoowdein yoo xat duwasaakw – my name is Daaxkoowdein. My English name, for tax purposes, is Tommy Jimmie Jr. I am a Kaagwaantaan of the Eagle Nest House of Sheet'ka (Sitka, Alaska).

I've "worn many hats" in my life; some of those hats include working with NaaKahidi Theatre as an actor, singer and musician from 1987-1989; then I went back to collge for a couple of years to obtain my degree in Education with an emphasis in English courses; as a certified counselor (specializing in alcohol and drug abuse), I worked for the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) both in Sitka and Haines during a 12-year period, where I instigated traditonal methods of healing and counseling by way of integrating the ceremonies from the "koo.eex" (potlatch) to help demonstrate the spiritual and emotional process for healing so we may integrate these things into our daily lives.

I am not an accomplished artist, although I do some doodling in our traditional arts. My interest in the arts has mainly focused on the Tlingit art's role in tradition. Questions have always followed my involvement with our traditional arts. What does our at.oow represent? Why were these works of art made in the first place? What role does art play in our tradition? What messages did this art leave for us? Why were these messages so important?

My earliest childhood memories return to listening to stories and singing songs at Mark's Trail in Juneau. Then my nuclear family moved to Haines from Juneau in 1959 where a good percentage of my life was spent either at the Raven House in Haines or the Thunderbird House of Klukwan.

I recall my grandfather taking me on visits to the clan houses in Klukwan and listening as the house caretaker recited the stories of their clan at.oow. But it wasn't until I experienced a lot of life away from my family that these stories actually began to make sense, upon my return home. One of my grandfathers used to say, "Listen to the stories, grandson, there is something in them for you."

In 1978, the Tlingit elders in Haines placed me in a position as a teacher of our cultural traditions. Employed in this position, I spent much of my time with any elder who would speak to me about these stories. During this time, I listened and I learned as much as I could, so I could pass it on to the students and anyone else who had an interest. This, and other personal events throughout my life, guided my choice to pursue a career in counseling. I began to understand the importance and the guidance our culture could continue and provide. I've tried, and continue to try, to help others understand our culture as relevant to our lives.

I believe new at.oow needs to be made that represents the new generations struggles and their successes in overcoming their struggles and what they learned along their journey. Once new at.oow was made, it will be important to include the public dedications and oral presentations of the new at.oow.