Almost a year ago, I began weaving a Chilkat robe for Tlingit elder Helen Watkins from the Shungukeidi Thunderbird Clan; the robe is called “Egyptian Thunderbird.” She was going to dance the robe this coming June during opening ceremonies of the biennial gathering of clans in Juneau called “Celebration.” Looks like she will be dancing the robe in spirit; Helen “walked into the woods” last night.
Helen was the happiest when she gathered foods from the land and sea with her big family and friends. Back in 2011, I attended one of her presentations on the Native subsistence foods and posted a blog about it. Check it out at: http://www.clarissarizal.com/blogblog/subsistence-presentation-by-helen-watkins/
Her obituary is at: http://www.legacyalaska.com/obituaries/Helen-Abbott-Watkins/#!/Obituary
You’ve got a lot of family, relatives and friends who are going to miss you greatly, dear Helen!