Paul Wilson
I Clarissa Hudson demonstrates Chilkat spinning
techniques to children at the Smithsonian's NMAI Museum show
of "Listening to Our Ancestors" Exhibit, November
2006 |
 In 2001, Clarissa Rizal weaves a Raven
Chilkat robe for Anne Gould-Hauberg (co-founder of the Pilchuck School of Glass in Washington State). |
|
November 22, 1933 – October 26, 2008
During the Summer of 2007, Wayne Price had asked
me to join him to form a 4-member Native dance troupe
to perform at New York City's Gustav Heye Center as
part of a Northwest Coast Native art exhibit opening
in September 07. We called ourselves the North Tide
Native Dancers. Wayne felt the songs and dance uplifted
his spirit and he wanted to share that spirit with the
community, so when we retruned to Haines, Wayne felt
he must continue the dance group. I encouraged him to
contact Tom Jimmie, Jr., and recruit folks of all ages,
especially the elders.
Paul and I met in June
2008 at Wayne and Cherri Price's house. Wayne and Cherri
had been hosting twice-weekly Native dance practice
in their home since February. Paul, and his gracious
wife Marilyn, were two of the elders. During the dinner
break after the practice, Paul and I spoke of his recent
involvement in returning back to the culture by way
of the songs and dances he was learning through North
Tide's leaders Wayne Price, Tom Jimmie, Jr. and Tim
Ackerman. As Paul spoke, I felt a sincere gentle kindness
in his spirit - a spirit we imagine that will always
preside through the dance troupe of North Tide.
Mayor Jan Hill said that Paul Wilson Jr.’s passing
is a loss for the community (of Haines, Alaska). The
good-natured Tlingit elder and lifetime Alaska Native
Brotherhood member brought enthusiasm to dance groups
and was, according to family and clan leadership, the
“true last survivor” of the Kooshda hit,
or Otter House formerly of Tanani Point. “He was
one of the few people that had recollections of the
Tanani Village out by the tank farm” Hill said
“that knowledge was invaluable.”
Wilson died early Sunday morning at Providence Hospital
in Anchorage of pneumonia, with his family by his side.
He was 74 years old.
Wilson’s Tlingit name was Kaadashaan; he was a
member of the Raven House, and from the Gaaw hit, or
Drum House, in Klukwan. Wilson also served on the Chilkat
Indian Association Tribal Council and was a supporter
of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
He was born in Skagway on November 22, 1933 to Paul
Wilson Sr. of Gaaw hit or Drum House in Klukwan and
Nancy Dennis Wilson of Chilkoot. His father worked on
the rainroad and fished commercially. He was raised
there and in Haines. He enlisted in the Army in 1953
and son Duane Wilson says “was on his way to Korea
when the war ended.” He was a member of American
Legion Post #13.
He married Marilyn R. Wright on November 21, 1956 in
Skagway, and they raised their family in Haines where
Wilson worked as a longshoreman and fished commercially
on the Averill Jeanne. He was also an ironworker, and
worked in Valdex on the Trans Alaska oil pipeline.
Wilson served as president of ANB Camp #5 numerous times
and was a repeat ANB convention delegate. Haines ANB
President Ray Dennis said Wilson joined during the struggles
for Native land claims. He will remember him most for
his generosity. “He often gave away things that
he needed, like the last of his personal foods, the
fish his sons prepared for him. That’s the way
he was,” Dennis said.
Sonny Williams said you never left Wilson hungry, “Paul
would make sure you ate with him, even if it was just
pie or some fish,” he said.
Wilson was an advocate for sobriety, and a member of
North Tide, an alcohol and drug-free dance group organized
by Wayne Price. He brought his grandchildren to the
practices and performed at a Road Recovery youth concert
at the Chilkat Center. “We were always honored
by his presence, the loss of every elder is a loss to
all of us” Price said, adding that he’ll
miss talking hunting with Wilson. “We had fun
telling mountain goat stories; I really enjoyed his
company, he had a good sense of humor and nice things
to say.”
In addition to his wife Marilyn, his children, Stanley
Wilson, Paul Kelly Wilson, LaVerne Bryant and Duane
Wilson, as well as grandchildren Aaron, James, Joshua,
Savanna, Bradley, and Saldie Wilson, and Lee Bryant,
Mary Bryant Jones, and Polly Anna Bryant survive him.
A son, Bradley Vincent Wilson and four siblings, Richard
Wilson, Fred Wilson, Florence Wilson Wright and Dorothy
Wilson Jackson preceded him in death.
“My Grandpa was a very strong man, he was also
the most loving and humble man I have ever known, I
will miss him more than words could ever express”
Mary Jones said.
There was a viewing 2:00-4:00pm Sunday, November 2,
2008 at the Raven House; and a funeral at 1:00pm Monday,
November 3, 2008 at the Haines ANB Hall. The 40-day
Party was December 20, 2008. A Koo.eex (Pay-off Party)
is tentatively scheduled for November 21, 2009.
“We will miss you dearly. We love you, and will
see you when God calls us home.”
Love, Marilyn “My Juice”, Duke and Buddy,
family and friends!
Contact Clarissa for permission to use text or images for educational purposes only.