Yak’éi haat yigoodí!
~ It is good that you have come! Tlingit
Today I arrived in Whitehorse to begin the next leg of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society tour of schools across Canada sponsored by the W. Garfield Weston Foundation. I was greeted at the airport by some kind local residents Donna, Linda and Keith and headed out to the Gadzoosdaa Residence to visit with some kids who live at the dorm so they can attend high school. Their communities and families are in distant places that do not have high schools.
The Gadzoosdaa Student Residence was opened in 1990 and is named in recognition of the many contributions made by Mrs. Virginia Smarch.
Virginia Smarch, who in Tlingit was affectionately known as Gadzoosdaa, was a distinguished Elder of the Teslin Tlingit Council (Eagle Clan) and was the first teacher of the Tlingit language in the Teslin School. Over the years, she gave generously of herself to act as interpreter at meetings and to speak at gatherings of young people. Above all, Virginia Smarch was a superb teller of legends, complementing her stories with appropriate lessons and insights for present-day conditions and the younger generation.
Sincerest thanks to Keith Seboyer, Benita Pakkari (Headmaster at the Gadzoosdaa Residence) and all the students for welcoming me to their home!
