The Story of Tobaan Etseh takes readers into the Kk’edonts’ednee period—The Time of Long Ago—when animals, fish, and birds could communicate like people. This cherished Koyukon Athabascan legend teaches us valuable lessons on respecting nature and animals, passing down Indigenous knowledge through generations.
In this story, Grandma Porcupine eats all her food on one side of the river and yearns to cross to the other side, where food is plentiful. However, with no way to cross, she sits crying on the beach until a series of helpful animals offer their assistance, leading her to an unexpected solution.
This project is a labor of love, preserving our traditional stories, brought to life by Elder and fluent Denaakk’e speaker Eliza Jones, her daughter Susan Paskvan, and artist Holly Wofford, in collaboration with the Tanana Chiefs Conference.
Links
Eliza Jones, born either at Toyenaalyeez Denh (Cut-Off) or at a nearby camp, and raised in Huslia, Alaska, devotes her life to teaching Denaakk’e (Koyukon Athabascan) language and writing about its culture and traditions. Eliza taught for many years at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a Koyukon Athabascan linguist. Upon her retirement in 1990, she was awarded an honorary doctorate. Josie and Little Peter were Eliza’s parents. When Eliza was a child, they lived off of the land in two different camps. Growing up, she and her family lived close to other camps. Being around great storytellers and culture bearers provided Eliza with a strong foundation where traditional values and beliefs were instilled. Eliza’s Denaakk’e name is Neełteloyeeneełno, which means ‘she has versatile talent.’ Her grandmother, Mrs. Cecelia Happy, who helped raise her, gave her this name. The name is appropriate, as she often has more than one project going on at a time. In 1958, Eliza married Benedict Jones, and she moved to his hometown of Koyukuk. They raised their children in Koyukuk and Fairbanks.
Holly Wofford is a Native Language teacher employed at the Yukon- Koyukuk School District. She attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) where she first started developing ideas around language work in her Alaska Native Studies and Art courses. It was during her time at the university that her illustrations for Tobaan Etseh first came to life. Holly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Alaska Native Studies and an Interdisciplinary Minor in Indigenous Curriculum Resource Development. She is certified as an M Language/Cultural teacher through the State of Alaska. Holly grew up in the villages of Nulato and Koyukuk and spent her childhood summers in Last Chance, a family-owned homestead on the Yukon River. Raised in a subsistence-based lifestyle, she learned traditional ways and values from her mother, which had been passed down through her family, originating from her great great-grandma, Martha Joe. Holly’s love for art, her culture, and the traditional stories she grew up hearing were what inspired her to pursue a career in language revitalization. Holly’s Denaakk’e name is Yughhʉyoneełno, which means ‘she’s smart in a lot of things and good with her hands.’ Lorraine David and the late Esther McCarty helped name her. She was given this name when Susan Paskvan asked if they could help gift Holly a Denaakk’e name for her UAF graduation. She was named for her intelligence, quick learning abilities, and artistic talents.