An evolution in traditional canoe carving had its maiden voyage this week

Ḵaayák’w Brandon Gomez introduces the Wind Dancer yaakw and asks permission to come ashore at Auke Recreation Area on June 2, 2026. (Photo by Yvonne Krumrey/KTOO)
Listen:
https://media.ktoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/03stripcanoe.mp3
On Tuesday afternoon, canoes — or yaakw — arrived and paddlers asked permission to come ashore. Ten yaakw landed on the beach at Auke Recreation Area, the site of a former Lingít village.
One was different from the others, th