Potlatch

While on the ferry Saturday morning, I chanced to meet a man sitting at my table who introduced himself and told Gene, Kathy and me about the potlatch which was to take place in Kake.

He is a nurse practitioner from Cape Cod who married a Tklinget woman of the Raven clan. She's finishing work on her PhD and then he'll just do consulting work and go where her work takes her. On his arms were beautiful totem pole tattoos, done in honor of his wife's uncle - a noted totem pole carver - who'd died a year ago.

The potlatch was to be done by the Eagle clan to honor him and his clan. All work would be performed by the Eagle clans and the Ravens would just enjoy. At the harbor those arriving on the ferry were met by the locals. Each side sang and beat their drums and it was really neat to be able to witness it. One of the pictures I posted shows the greeting party!