“Growing up here on the land of my maternal uncles, I have a lot of respect for the land and the sea that many of us enjoy on a daily basis. To be able to share my knowledge that was gifted to me by our local Lingít elders is an honor and privilege.”
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gheistéen Daanax.ils’eik Chuck Miller, and our hearts go out to Chuck’s family, his clan, and all those whose lives he touched. The impact that Chuck had on our community and so many other communities across the region is indescribable. All those who know Chuck will have a story about his generosity, kindness, his expansive knowledge and passion for learning Lingít culture, language, and protocol, his storytelling skills and ability to connect with just about anyone. Chuck loved his community, his family, his friends and his homelands; this love was evident in everything that he did and everything that he shared.
It is hard to truly express how much Chuck touched all of our lives here at the Sitka Conservation Society and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Chuck was an active volunteer and educator for the next generation of youth stewards that participated in our Alaska Way of Life 4-H project and generously shared his skills and knowledge. He taught countless lessons to our young people, from how to harvest guwakaan (deer), to creating gaaw (travel drums), imparting values of respect, reciprocity, and generosity in ways that everyone of all ages could understand.
By giving his time, his knowledge, his passion, Chuck shared how we should treat each other equally and care for all things, and shared a wealth of traditional Lingít stories and history with the community. This sharing, knowledge, and care was extended to SCS staff, volunteers, and his fellow board members – including on cruises and beach cleanups, at board meetings, and harvesting with many of us deep in the forest and out on the water.
Whether it was a 4-H club, a softball team, or a whole auditorium of people, Chuck had a beautiful ability to bring people together and be authentic in himself. He was of service, showing up over and over again for diverse community events and activities, from the personal to the governmental. Chuck exemplified so many of the values that guide us in Southeast Alaska. He deeply loved the lands and waters of the Tongass, and sought to pass on a legacy of stewardship so that his grandchildren could enjoy the same way of life that he shared with his grandparents. Whether he was dipnetting at Redoubt, checking his crab pots, or scouting beaches for deer, Chuck reveled in the opportunity to share the abundance of Lingít Aaní with the people that he loved. His love of this community reminds us to reflect on how the experiences of all who touched our lives and came before us made us who we are today.
Gunalchéesh, Chuck. All of us here on Sheet'ká Ḵwáan will carry with us what we learned from you, and aspire to share this love and knowledge every day, like you did.
