Interview with Pamela Smith

Creators and Contributors Berlin Ethnological Museum (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
Pamela Smith (Contributor)

Summary This video comprises a longer interview with Pam Smith. Pam Smith shares her Eyak name, which is the same as her grandmother's, and her Tlingit name which was given to her by an Eyak woman which means a woman who carries an important message from afar. Pam Smith shares why she came on the trip -- with the intention of connecting with the artifacts and bringing that knowledge back to the Eyak people, and shares that the trip has exceeded her expectations. She shares that she's interacted with Eyak artifacts before, but that this trip marks her first time to really handle and touch the artifacts. She shares that she hopes to gain a reconnection with the artifacts and to figure out how to have a better relationship with Germany, the artifacts that are here, and the possibilities of have them repatriated in Alaska and Cordova. She emphasizes that people from the region can't all travel here, and that there's work needed to carry this connection from the trip forward. She shares that being with the artifacts and meeting the staff has helped her to go home knowing that she reconnected with what she's lost as an Eyak person. Pam Smith shares that she felt like her ancestors were pushing her to bless the shamanic artifacts, and she felt that everyone benefitted from the ceremony as well. She emphasizes that it's going to take everyone's efforts to make this trip successful. She hopes that the relationship between Germany and Alaska can continue with transparency and good communication. She urges the importance of remaining humble and learning as much as one can about language, Eyak culture and heritage. Pam Smith shares that she is at peace with who she is and the possibilities that are in front of the Eyak community. Pam Smith appreciates that everyone in the group is from a different community and shares the benefits that have come from listening to everyone's knowledge, perspective and stories.