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Welcome to Tsoonklah Medicine Bags

From my mother’s side, I am Tlingit Kaachadi, the Raven-Frog clan. I’m named after Matilda “Tillie” Kinnon Paul Tamaree, whose brother was Chief Shakes VII Charlie Paul (Wrangell, Alaska).  My Tlingit name Tsoonklah, which means “Dream Mother” or “Mother of all Dreams”, was given to me by my Great-Grandmother, Matilda J. Paul. The women of my mother’s side of the family have always been gifted with abilities. In the Tlingit culture, all life has equal value and should be equally respected. The word Tlingit means “People”, and Tlingits are unique in that they are not related to the other nearby tribes. Tlingit Shamans are believed to be a mediator for the spirits and/or spirit-world, a healer and a seer.  Because of the Shaman’s ability to speak and interact with the spirits and spirit-world, and having the ability to use “magic”, they were held in high esteem, given respect, and sometimes also simultaneously feared; so they were also paid in advance. Medicine bags are a sacred pouch or bag, often only a few inches square, usually used in healing ceremonies and made by a healer or Shaman. No one is supposed to know what is inside the medicine bags, however the items inside have spiritual significance. Medicine bags are also seen as a container of wisdom, healing, inspiration, power and is a form of medicine itself. They are designed for power and protection for the wearer’s physical and spiritual being.

From my father, Dr. Angayukuk Oscar Kawagley, I am also blessed with my Yupik Shaman/Healer heritage. Yupik means “Real People”, and are indigenous to the southwestern and south-central parts of Alaska. Yupik Shamans were the healers, search for animal spirits to aid hunters, have vast knowledge of medicinal herbs and plants, and pray for blessings to benefit their community. Despite introduced illnesses brought by outsiders, explorers and westerners that were beginning to inhabit Yupik areas, the Yupiks retained their faith in their Shamans, especially during the flu epidemics of the early 1900s. My Great-great-grandmother, Matilda Oscar, was a one of the last living Yupik Shamans in the 20th century.


Why do I use Silk?

Silk is the strongest natural fiber available, lightweight, breathable, hypoallergenic and is highly resistant to mold and mildew. Silk is also a very potent, natural conductor and isolator of electromagnetic forces, or energies. I also feel that silk is also a more potent material to harness and direct the energies put into the empowered items held within it, rather than leather or hide typically used to make medicine bags, because it is a fiber created by a being cocooning itself as it goes through metamorphosis. The being itself is highly sensitive to electro-magnetic forces, or energies, and silk thread was used for thousands of years in China for purposes such as dowsing or use of pendulums for divination or spiritual guidance.


I use 12 mm weight silk for the outside or outer layer, with folded edges within to provide extra padding and protection for the inside or inner layers. The inner layer is made with raw silk, which has a weight of 35mm. I make the medicine bags in layers to help protect the items and materials inside from: getting wet/moist, exposure to elements & temperatures, possible discoloring the outside layer of 12 mm weight silk that has the embroidered artwork. I also sew the all the pieces I make in multiple layers to help protect the wearer’s clothing from possible discoloring, should the bag be exposed to excessive moisture. I make all items to last as long as possible, conscious of the possible wear and tear of everyday use. 


(Please do not use artwork, name/s or images without permission, thank you.)

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Questions? Want a Custom Order?

If you would like to know more information about Tsoonklah or the medicine bags (Custom orders are welcome!), please feel free to send an email.

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