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Virginia Pete

Virginia Pete

Virginia Pete grew up at Dry Creek and moved to Tazlina, Alaska after the United States Army forced the village to move from Dry Creek. Virginia has taught the Ahtna language since the 1970’s and continues to be a language consultant for the Ahtna Heritage Foundation in Glennallen. She, along with other Ahtna elders, assisted Dr. James Kari in writing the Ahtna Dictionary, which was published in 1990. She was a bilingual teacher for the Copper River School District in the 1980’s teaching language and sewing. She continues to assist Siri Tuttle in conducting Ahtna language classes at the Prince William Community College. She also attends Ahtna culture camps to teach customary and traditional fish cutting, language, and telling stories. She is an integral part of the preservation of Ahtna language and culture.
Date of Birth:
Jan 17, 1930
Virginia Pete appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Virginia Pete's Slideshow
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Virginia Pete

Virginia Pete was interviewed by Ruth Ann Warden of the Park Service, Dave Krupa and Bill Schneider on February 2, 2001 in her home in Tazlina, Alaska. Her sister, Gloria Stickwan, and her grandson (a young boy of 3 or 4) were present. Virginia was selected by the Village Council for the interview. Gloria works for the Copper River Native Association on cultural documentation. Virginia is a little hard of hearing, but she understood all of the questions and does a good job developing answers to the questions and presenting important themes such as the Army occupation of Dry Creek and how her family was forced to move out -- without compensation. Virginia now lives in a neat little house set back from the highway. Her beadwork is set out on a side table and there are several historic pictures and lots of recent ones on the shelves and walls.

 2001-02-05 Wrangell-St.Elias National Park Feb 2, 2001