“Education is important to our children. At the age of 17, my granddaughter graduated from high school. Many of our people never graduate—especially so young.”

Mr. Nielsen has the following preferences:

Schools: James would like to work with Keet Gooshi Heen Students or Blatchley students.  He is most comfortable with younger students.

Days: He is available to go into the classroom Monday—Friday, so long as it is prearranged.  During football season, he and his nephew often travel down south to watch the game(s) live.

Times: He has a very flexible schedule however he would prefer the morning because he often has meetings/appointments throughout the afternoon. 

Areas of Activity

James prefers to enter into classrooms to help out in the following areas:

Field Trips: Museums or Southeast Alaska Cultural Center would be field trips John would like to help chaperone.

Art /Regalia Demonstrations: He is a talented carver with experience making Tlingit headdresses. He also can talk about traditional designs (ovoid, talons, shapes, etc.). James gives credit to his father whom initially taught him how to carve.

Food Demonstrations: James is very skilled in making “Tlingit Soul Food” His nephews still gather subsistence for him throughout the year and he spends his time processing/preserving/cooking those foods (e.g. seal oil, roasted deer ribs, Coho eggs, dry fish, etc.) .

Presentations: He would be very skilled in presenting on different cultural aspects (e.g. medicine man, Clan leader, subsistence harvesting).

Storytelling: James can tell stories for days. This would be his strong element. When asked about three stories he likes to pass on he listed: (1.) The story of Strongman (2.) Chookaneidi Peaceman Song and how it came to be.

Role in the Classroom

Cultural Instructor: James is very knowledgeable in Tlingit traditions. He is a clan leader for the Chookaneidi (Eagle— Porpoise) people. As such, he is caretaker of Chookaneidi: regalia, stories, crest designs and much more. Please see cultural expertise.

Teacher Assistant: James would like to accompany a class on field trips to either museums or the Cultural Center. He would have valuable knowledge to pass onto the kids.

Cultural Expertise

Clan Leader: James is the Clan Leader for the Chookaneidi people. It is a role that was assigned to him after his brother passed away. Though originally it took a lot of learning, he now wears the leadership role with pride.

Clan History:James can trace his ancestry back to precontact with the Russians. As a leader, James is the caretaker of Chookaneidi names so when a child needs to receive his Lingit name, James can assist in the process.

Tlingit Lineage: James is very knowledgeable when it comes to Tlingit relations. Not only is he comfortable discussing kinship he also has references family trees/historical documents to illustrate the topic.

Ceremonies/Protocol: James received a great deal of direction from the wisdom passed down from Dr. Walter Soboleff regarding Tlingit protocol. He has handouts that list out protocol. An example that John gave: traditionally, as children enter their teen years, brother and sister are separated from each under their teacher (uncle/aunt), they do not see or speak to each other, this is protocol of due respect.

Historian: James is a history buff. He is interested in local history. Besides all of his traditional information, he saw the effects of TB epidemic at a young age and spent time working in a cannery; John also witnessed desegregation between non-Natives and Natives. All are topics which he feels comfortable sharing with students.

Education and Life Experience

Education:

James completed 2 years of high school

Work Experience:

James began fishing for subsistence reasons at a young age. He then gained experience working in a cannery.

James also spent a few years working for Sitka High School. This was not a pleasant experience for James in that it occurred when desegregation was occurring. The majority of his career experience comes from his work with Public Health Services at SEARHC Hospital. He was hired on in the warehouse, became a grounds man, carpenter, and finally the grounds men supervisor. He worked 32.5 years straight before retiring.

A Brief Biography

To many in the community, James is referred to as “Big John.” John was born and raised here in Sitka. In June, James turned 78 years young.

James has a large family. He has five children (3 sons, 2 daughters); 7 grandchildren (6 grandsons, 1 granddaughter) and 1 great grandchild. He has been a bachelor for over 34 years now— just the way he likes it.

James keeps a busy schedule. He attends a number of meetings in the community. He serves on the Board for the Cultural Center as well as the STA cultural committee.  When he is not busy with meetings, he spends his time: 1) At garage sales; 2) Watching sporting events (football, basketball, baseball); 3) Shooting his rifle—especially during  hunting season (seal, deer, bear, sea otter); 4) Photography; and his favorite past time is, 5) Drying fish when the season is right for salmon, halibut canning, and  vacuum sealing deer meat for the freezer.