Emma Sam, Wakhsani
Emma Sam was born to David and Rosie Johnston of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation. She is of the Ishkhitaan clan, whose crest is the frog and her Tlingit name is Wakhsani. Her first language was Tlingit and when she went away to school in Carcross she vowed not to lose her language as she learned to speak, read and write English. Sam taught the Tlingit language in the Whitehorse area for many years. She began teaching language at Kishwoot Hall during women’s sewing classes and was one of the early language teachers in Whitehorse. She worked thirteen years with the territorial Aboriginal Languages Services unit as a translator and interpreter.1)
Education Minister Patrick Rouble, on behalf of Premier Dennis Fentie, presented the Fifth Annual Council of the Federation Literacy Award to Emma Sam for her leadership, commitment, and outstanding contribution to the promotion of literacy in the Tlingit Language.2)