In Honor of Eyak

Ten stories, in poem and narrative form, told by Anna Nelson Harry, are presented here. The stories represent a portion of the oral tradition of the Eyak, an Alaskan native nation of which few native speakers remain. An introductory section chronicles the history and decline of the Eyak, the research undertaken to preserve their culture, and the life and work of Anna Nelson Harry. The texts, all transcribed from tape recordings, include both the original language and an English translation. Texts are presented in five sections: On Greatness and Smallness ("Lake-Dwarves,""Giant Rat" as told in 1933 and 1965); On Good and Evil ("Two Sisters"); On Husband and Wife ("Blind Man and Loon,""Raven and His Wife Quarrel"); On Identity and Conflict ("Woman and Octopus,""Groundhog-Man,""Wolf-Woman"); and On the Beginning and End of Eyak History ("Eyak History,""Lament for Eyak"). Each section has an introduction offering background and details on the stories.