Ho’okele, meaning “to steer,” is also the term for navigator and voyager. When we think about steering a wa’a kaulua (double-hulled canoe), what comes to mind is the hoe uli, the long steering paddle that guides the canoe along the ala kai, or “sea road.”
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Alaska
The indigenous peoples of Alaska are collectively known as Alaska natives, which include over 20 unique cultural groups and distinct languages. Alaska has the highest percentage of indigenous people as part of its population, than any other state.
The five major groupings of Alaska Natives based on linguistic and cultural similarities: Aleuts, Northern Eskimos (Inupiat), Southern Eskimos (Yuit), Interior Indians (Athabascans), and Southeast Coastal Indians (Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian). Among themselves, Alaska Natives are organized by clans and families, with strong ties to places and resources.
“When you sail, don’t be afraid, because when you take your voyage we will be with you. When the north wind blows, take a moment to recognize that the wind is our people sailing with you.”
Judson Brown, Tlingit Elder
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