Jennie Thlunaut

Jennie Thlunaut

Weaving Artist (1891-1986)

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"The Tlingit were not writers of books, they wove their history into their garments, and they wear their history on their backs."

- Austin Hammond (Tlingit elder)




Jennie Thlunaut or Shaxʼsaani Kéekʼ ("Younger Sister of the Girls") was a Tlingit (Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America) artist, who is known for her skillful weaving. She has been credited with keeping the art of Chilkat weaving (a traditional form of weaving practiced by Indigenous peoples on the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America) alive. As a little girl, Thlunaut was gifted her first box of mountain goat hair -- one of the essential components of Chilkat weaving. When she was 10 years old, her mother began teaching her how to weave. 

The Chilkat blanket has mythical origins. The art of blanket weaving was passed down from the Tsimshian (Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America) to the Tlingit in the nineteenth century. The designs woven into the blankets -- stylized animal figures similar to those found in Tlingit carvings, are the crests of family or clan groups and serve as property markers and emblems. 

 

By the end of Thlunaut's life, her blankets were selling on the open market for $10,000-$16,000 each. Despite this success she continued to give them away in a traditional manner, never keeping a single blanket for herself. 

One of Thlunaut's blanket on display at the Sheldon Museum featuring a bear design.

Jennie Thlunaut is an artist to introduce to students because fiber art is not an area of artistry that gets much attention. Through Thlunaut's work, students have the opportunity to not only be introduced to Indigenous weaving methods, but also to learn about Indigenous peoples (specifically those from Alaska/ British Columbia).   



Suggested Reading
Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy by Michaela Goade (Illustrator), Nora Dauenhauer (Editor), Richard Dauenhauer (Editor), Johnny Marks (Editor), Hans Chester (Editor), and David Katzeek (Editor) 

A retelling of an ancient Tlingit story. 




The Goat in the Rug by Charles Blood and Martin Link, Illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker

Geraldine is a goat, and Glenmae, a Navajo weaver. One day, Glenmae decides to weave Geraldine into a rug. First Geraldine is clipped. Then her wool is spun into fine, strong yarn. Finally, Glenmae weaves the wool on her loom. They reader learns, along with Geraldine, about the care and pride involved in the weaving of a Navajo rug -- and about cooperation between friends.