Saghani Ggaay Youth Camp

by Sonia Vent

The Saghani Ggaay Youth Camp at McCarthy Alaska was held July 13-19, 2025, with travel dates on the 13th and the 19th. Two colleagues and I traveled together to McCarthy by my vehicle while others came by shuttle service. The camp was for the Ahtna Athabaskan region. We had three Ahtna Instructors and students from Copper Center, Tazlina, Chitina and Kenny Lake. A total of ten youth of mixed ages (14-17 years) and genders attended.

The drive from Chitina to McCarthy was sixty miles of dirt road which required driving slower. Despite this, the scenery was unbelievably beautiful with landscapes of lush green hills and valleys covered in summer foliage, and the Chitina River down below. Picture is of Liberty Falls just before Chitina.

Saghani Ggaay Youth Camp

The week was filled with traditional cultural activities both to empower and to inspire the youth in knowing who they are and where they come from, using the Cultural Identity Curriculum, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Psychology Department, Dr. Sara Buckingham, and a group of Alaska Native Elders. The paper Guiding the Narrative: Ethical Guide Training and Indigenous Representation in Alaska Tourism by Heather Reiss, Masters of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Alaska Pacific University was also used as a reference. This paper had much of Elder Wilson Justin’s guidance throughout. And lastly, the knowledge of the Ahtna Athabaskan Cultural Instructors.

WELCOME

The week began with an Indigenous welcome and introduction, ground rules, orientation to the week. Afterwards there was a deep dive into clans and family tree by the Ahtna Athabaskan Cultural Instructors, Ashley Hicks, and Georgia Jackson.

PLANT IDENTIFICATION

The next morning the youth were led by Heather Beltz, Inupiaq/Tlingit on a plant identification walk. The walk took place along the McCarthy Creek. There was chunky dwarf fireweed, Stinkweed, Hookers Mountain Avens, and so many more!

CULTURAL IDENTITY

The latter part of the morning was followed by a presentation and workshop titled “Who Am I, Where Do I Come From and What are My Gifts,” based on the Cultural Identity Curriculum led by me and the rest of the staff.

SALVE MAKING

Salve Making

After lunch I then led a class on making salve, where we made both Young Birch Leaf and Alaska Wild Rose salves. The youth helped prep the jars, measure the essential oils in the containers, and stir the beeswax until it melted. Once oil was ready, they then poured it into the containers. A couple of youth assisted by making labels for the jars.

EVENING ACTIVITIES

Each evening there were activities such as beading, prepping plants for other products, and guitar playing. A young man was especially entertaining with his guitar playing. Everyone enjoyed his talent. It was encouraging and uplifting at the same time.

ENERGY/TRADITIONAL HEALING

Both Heather and I offered energy/traditional healing on Wednesday night with the plan to offer it every night but with a busy schedule we could not. It would be nice to offer a healing retreat as part of Saghani Ggaay in the future. TBD.

SWEAT LODGE

On the third day Georgia led building a Sweat Lodge at the Toe of the Glacier. She and other instructors, Ashley, Ernest, Heather, and Sabrina assisted along with other adults and the youth. Because of the heat, everyone was advised to stay hydrated and use sun protection. Song(s) were sung during the sweat lodge. Sweat Lodge brings cleanliness, purity, and ceremony.

Sweat Lodge

GLACIER HIKE

On the fourth day, Thursday a hired tour company brought the group on a glacier hike. Thanks to the many who took pictures of the event, especially Mary Claire. Thank you, Mary, for the wonderful pictures and to Jon for stepping up to assist with a variety of activities. At the end of the day, everyone returned tired and sunbaked and even with a few with scrapes and bruises.

Glacier Trek

The five-day event culminated in a mini potlatch with the preparation and then the potlatch itself.

POTLATCH

The Ahtna Cultural Instructors: Ashley Hicks, Georgia Jackson, and Ernest Sanford demonstrated true leadership as they took the lead in the potlatch event. They began the potlatch with an explanation of what it means to the Ahtna Athabaskan people and when a potlatch was held. Georgia briefly mentioned how Saghani Ggaay was a vision of Ahtna Elder Wilson Justin and was conducted, through careful planning by me, Sabrina, and many others. Ahtna Elder Wilson Justin’s vision was to begin a healing process for the area. The area had once been inhabited by Indigenous people in that area, and their inhabitance had been brutally disrupted by those pursuing the copper. Consequently, the Kennecott Mining Company was established. The Kennecott Mine Tour was a tour available, but we did not go on it.

The Ahtna Athabaskan men (young) naturally stepped into their roles as they began serving the food. The prepared food included baked salmon, moose soup, En cass (a Copper River indigenous preparation of berries) garden greens, fresh sliced turnips, salads, rhubarb crisp, bread and many other baked goods prepared by both the camp and the McCarthy Community.

Traditional Dancing

The potlatch singing and dancing was led by the Ahtna Athabaskan Cultural Instructors and then joined by the youth. It was amazing to see the culmination of everyone’s efforts into this wonderful event. The last traditional dance was about the slaying of a bear with a good ending. Everyone was invited to participate in this last song. The only non-native youth in the group played the bear. I thought and appreciated that he demonstrated integrity and genuine camaraderie.

Closing Potlatch

Throughout the traditional potlatch there were speeches shared by the Ahtna Athabaskan Cultural Instructors. They demonstrated amazing leadership as they shared history and meaning to the potlatch activities.

Sally stated, I recall so clearly that final evening when Ashley spoke with her sweet authoritative voice to the people of McCarthy, explaining that, well, simply ‘When we invite you to dance with us, please dance with us.’ And the people all stood up and danced!

FAREWELL

The most difficult part of any event such as this is saying farewell. Many did their farewells after the potlatch as the Wrangell Mountains Center was cleaned and put back in its previous order. The Wrangell Mountains Center Staff were amazingly helpful throughout the week, asking us if we needed help and then conducting any task that needed to be done. In my estimation, they went beyond their responsibilities and duties.

WILSON JUSTIN

The camp could not have come into fruition without the vision of Ahtna/Cheesh’ Elder Wilson Justin. Bringing youth to McCarthy for reconciliation and healing was his vision for the past decade. When he shared his vision with me (and Sabrina Simon) I needed to help make it happen. Sabrina was a key player in making sure it did.

SABRINA SIMON

Sabrina Simon, WMC’s Operations Manager for the last couple of years, had also heard of Wilson’s vision. She had been to McCarthy during their open season, the summer, for the last couple of years and knew how to run the WMC. She knew what it would take to hold such a camp there. Sabrina led the many meetings, especially over the last couple of months before the event. She created the many documents that we needed and most importantly sought and received grant funding for the event. It was her vision to host an Indigenous youth event at the WMC in McCarthy. She worked tirelessly day and night assuring such an event was conducted in a culturally appropriate manner.

SALLY CALDWELL

Saghani Ggaay was fortunate to have an Indigenous mental health therapist, Sally Caldwell (Choctaw) on site to provide mental health support. Sally was gracious in also supporting the camp as an Elder. Her presence was most appreciated as she supported everyone throughout the week.

HEATHER BELTZ

Heather Beltz (Inupiaq/Tlingit), Energy/Traditional Healing provided expertise in plant identification and the many uses of Alaskan plants. My most amazing experience with Heather was when I went on a ceremonial trek with her up the Kennecott hills and she sliced a wild celery stalk, cut it, peeled it, and offered me a piece. It was delicious and an amazing experience!

ASHLEY HICKS & GEORGIA JACKSON

Ashley Hicks (Ahtna Athabaskan/Choctaw) & Georgia Jackson (Ahtna Athabaskan/Irish/Inupiaq), Ahtna Cultural Instructors both beautifully shared their knowledge and skills throughout the week. They both presented and led the youth through a family and clan course resulting in a personal family tree for each. It was revealing to a couple of the youth to find that they were related. Both ladies also shared their beading skills and knowledge which continued well into the evening with beading and storytelling. The beaded items were donated to the potlatch as gifts for the gift giving. They also presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Ahtna Athabaskan Traditional Potlatch from start to finish. It was a very well-thought-out presentation with great pictures.

GEORGIA JACKSON & ASHLEY HICKS & YOUTH & OTHERS

Georgia led a sweat lodge building with the help of the other instructors. The sweat lodge was built at the Toe of the Glacier in direct sunlight. Georgia demonstrated such hard work and fortitude. Due to the heat, everyone was advised to stay hydrated and use sun protection. It was particularly challenging by the fact that the water had to hauled in from McCarthy, a good mile or so.

ERNEST SANFORD

Ernest was one of the Ahtna Athabaskan Cultural Instructors that we recruited for Saghani Ggaay. He brought his male presence along with traditional drumming, singing, and dancing. It was amazing to see him step into his role at the Traditional Potlatch. His quiet presence was paramount throughout the week as he supported both youth and staff with his knowledge, skills, and sense of well-being.

YOUTH

The youth demonstrated integrity, willingness to learn, and resiliency throughout the week. I am thankful that they showed up and were willing to participate in Saghani Ggaay. I look forward to continuing to connect with them and to forming a meaningful and lasting relationship.

GRATITUDE

Many thanks again to the Wrangell Mountains Center Staff, Our funders; the State of Alaska, Council on the Arts, the Rural CAP Foundation, the AHTNA Corporation, the Chitina Tribal Council, the Copper River Native Association especially Colleen Merrick, the Alaska Indigenous Baha’I’s, NPO Raven Moonlight, Nickie Brunnhoelzl for the first flyer, Mary Claire and husband Jon for the Wilson Justin interview, general support and pictures, and so many more for making this event possible.

NEXT STEPS

We hope to do it again next year. TBD.