Bill Smith Reflects on Eyak Naming Traditions and the Power of Names
Berlin Ethnological Museum (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
Chugachmiut (Contributor)
William Smith (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
Chugachmiut (Contributor)
William Smith (Contributor)
Bill Smith shares that his grandson asked him about his Eyak name after being questioned by a Navajo peer. The interaction prompted Smith to work on finding an Eyak name for his grandson. Smith reflects on having had multiple Eyak names throughout his life depending on context and community, including his nickname "Spike." He speaks to the diversity and cultural meaning of names across Alaska Native communities and other Indigenous groups, noting the presence of warrior names in certain tribal traditions. Smith emphasizes the belief that people take on the personality or spirit of their name. He also shares a traditional teaching that speaking a person's name keeps their memory alive, which carries risks when speaking of a deceased person who was bad.
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