We had a truly monumental – and surprising – rehearsal today when guests – Kiks.ádi Clan Leader Aanyaanáx̱ Ray Wilson, Lduteen Jerrick Hope-Lang, and Lorrie Gax̱.áan.sán Heagy – joined us for the “sitzprobe.” Until now the vocalists and orchestra have been rehearsing separately for the opera, but were united for the first time day.
How appropriate it was that our Kiks.ádi guests were also in attendance as our very first audience.
And a most surprising gift – they brought the actual Kiks.ádi peace hat given to them by the Russians in 1804, and the actual hammer used by Kiks.ádi war leader K’alyaan. These are precious at.óow, and you could feel the room change with them in it.
Standing with the Kiks.ádi leaders were opera cast members who are descended from the Lingit of Sheey Atiká, including Kiks.ádi clan member Ḵaa Yahaayí Shkalneegi – Muriel Reed, and descendants Sydney Truitt and Rochelle Smallwood.
They placed the peace hat on opera composer and conductor Edward Littlefield – Shaakindustóow, as a sign of peace and so all of us involved in the opera “can be strong as you go into battle.” As they placed the hat on Ed they said “We just wish you peace.”
Then they brought out the hammer K’alyaan used (which we do portray in the opera) to “show you the level of commitment we have in this journey for you, and understanding the strength you’ll need to move forward in this.”
They asked X’unei Lance Twitchell to finish for them –
“As they bring these things forward just know, with the blessings of the Kiks.ádi people, there’s nothing that can hold you back now… As you go forward and tell this story for all of the Lingít people, for all that we’ve been through, just know that you’re not alone in these moments. Our ancestors are with you. Our future generations are listening as it comes from your lips… Go with strength. Go with courage. Their kindness is around us like a fort now.”
I’ve lived with this project for the better part of a decade now, and always, always, always on my mind has been the desire to do justice to both the ancestors who fought these battles, and to their descendants – the reason they fought those battles at all. We are keenly aware that these stories aren’t just stories – we are depicting real history, real clans, real people that reach out to us today. And today we were given the great gift of peace and strength as we enter into the last few days of preparation for “Kutulagaaw” – for “our fight” – until we can give our gift to the world.