ANDREW HOPE, III
| I Andy Hope III at the Clan Conference, 2007 - Photo by Peter Metcalfe |
Below: Andy Hope III with sons, Andy Hope IV and Ishmael Hope - 1984
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Andy Hope with son, Ishmael Hope and his newborn granddaughter, Elizabeth Deanna Hope - January 2008 - photos by Peter Metcalfe
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December 23, 1949 - August 7, 2008
In the Spring 2005, Andy asked me to participate
in the Alaska Systemic Initiative Program at the University
of Alaska Juneau to teach school teachers how to teach
math through Chilkat weaving.
During a teleconference
meeting with the other instructors, he said there was
an allownce for the materials for the class and asked
if $30 per student was enough to pay for the materials
and a book on Chilkat weaving. I told him the only book
written about Chilkat weaving was $30. (Oh? That takes
up all the allowance for materials and supplies; what
are we gonna do?) He then asked if I had any hand-outs
or a book; he was surprised to discover that I had no
written material on Chilkat weaving. (I had always taught
my classes the way I was taught, in an indigenous manner:
hands-on without a book). Then he said "How come?
Why don't you do it?" I replied: "I never
thought of it...duh?" He encouraged me to write
the handbook "...just go do it...now. Whatever
you do will be good; it'll be better than not having
done it...!"
Within the two months prior to the class, I researched
through all my weaving journals. While writing the book,
it was an emotional, exciting and uplifting jouney.
I was satisfied with "Jennie Weaves An Apprentice:
A Chilkat Weavers' handbook." I am presently working on a revised edition printed in hard
copy instead of the present spiral-bound.
Juneau resident Andrew "Andy" John Hope III
died after a brief battle with cancer on Aug. 7, 2008,
at the Mount Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka, surrounded
by family. He was 58.
He was born Dec. 23, 1949, in Sitka. An enrolled citizen
of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, he was of the Sik'nax.ádi
(Eagle/Wolf Moiety/ Killer Whale-Brown Bear crest),
X'aan Hít (Red Clay House) and the child of the
Kiks.ádi (Raven Moiety/Frog crest). His Tlingit
names were Xaastanch (Killer Whales Coming Down in a
Wave), and Néech Deiw (Stopped at the Beach).
Author, educator and tradition-bearer, he was a leading
advocate for Alaska Native education. At the time of
his death, Hope was executive director of the Sharing
Our Knowledge Tlingit Clan Conference. He previously
served as regional coordinator of the Alaska Rural Systemic
Initiative of the University of Alaska, as a tribal
enrollment officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
and as administrator of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska.
"He upheld his family in a loving way," his
mother said. "His family was happy to live in his
shadow."
His family and friends recalled his words: "You
don't need to take the credit, let others take the credit,
as long as the work gets done."
He was dearly loved and will be missed by his family
and many friends, they said.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth "Sister"
Goodwin Hope; first wife, Ann Beaudion; and father,
Andrew "John" Hope Jr.
He is survived by his mother, Christine Littlefield;
siblings and their spouses, Kathy and George Erickson,
Gerry Hope and Vicki D'Amico, and Greg and Ellen Littlefield;
children, Christopher and Tillie Hope, and Andrew Percy
Hope IV, Ishmael Hope and fiance' Lily Hudson; stepdaughter,
Violet Goodwin; and grandchildren, Michael Hope, DJ
Hatmaker, Ryan Samuelson, Jacob and Felisha Hope, and
Elizabeth Hope.
A traditional Tlingit ceremony was held at 5 p.m.
at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall Camp 1. He lay
in state at the Kayaashka Hít (Coho House), until
5 p.m. Sunday, when the ANB memorial service began at
the ANB Hall. The funeral service was held at 4 p.m.
Monday at St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral. Receptions
followed each day's program.
Pallbearers: Ishmael Hope, Andrew Hope IV, Michael Hope,
George Erickson, Christopher Hope, and Ralph Brady.
Honorary pallbearers: Herman Davis, Harold Jacobs, Fred
Hope, Isabella Brady, Lydia George, Willie Goodwin,
John Littlefield, Peter Metcalfe, Ishmael Reed and Carla
Blank, Sergei Kan, Steve Langdon; co-workers of the
Alaska Rural Systemic Initiative, and Van Morrison.
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