Neal Charlie dies at 91: Minto elder, former chief kept language, culture alive (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

Neal Charlie dies at 91: Minto elder, former chief kept language, culture alive

by Christopher Eshleman/ceshleman at newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — Neal Charlie Sr., a Native leader and Minto elder who
worked to document the village’s traditional language, died Saturday
of complications from pneumonia. He was 91.

Charlie was considered a go-to authority for insight into Alaska
Athabascan customs and the Lower Tanana language, family and friends
said Monday. His input was sought on a range of projects, from
cross-cultural education to language instruction, they said.

“He was a very well-regarded, very-well respected elder,” said Jerry
Isaac, president of Tanana Chiefs Conference. He said Charlie’s strong
individual values and spiritual leadership helped encourage regional
cooperation across Interior communities.

“He knew more than all of us elders,” his widow, Geraldine Charlie,
said. “He had that much knowledge and wisdom.”


Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Neal Charlie dies at 91 Minto
elder former chief kept language culture alive
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