Daily Sitka Sentinel

Andrew Gamble Jr. Dies; Clan Leader was Age 73

Andrew Gamble Jr.

A family graveside burial for Andrew Gamble Jr. (Anaaxhoots, Daatxhaagúch) was recently held at Sitka National Cemetery.
He passed away on Jan. 12, 2020.  At his request, no services were held. 
He was a child of the Deisheetaan through Andrew Gamble Sr., and a grandchild of the Wooshkeetaan through Gerald Gamble (Kaansháawu Éesh). His maternal grandfather, John Paul Jr. (Kháatlein, Khaasa.áxhch),  was also a child of the Wooshkeetaan through John Paul Sr. (Kootla.áa, Aandaxhleich, X’aawoolshaay).
Andrew was a commercial fisherman most of his life and a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam era. Keeping his Tlingit traditions intact and true, by birth and by bloodline, was a great concern of his. The Eagle crest came to his clan and house through his matrilineal bloodline by two names, still kept in his family line alone, that reach back pre 1700s.
Born into the lineage of Ghooch Hít (Wolf House) of the Sitka Kaagwaantaan, Andrew inherited his position as Sitka Kaagwaantaan naa shaa dei hani (clan leader) from his maternal uncle Patrick Paul Sr. (K’axhook Éesh, Stuwukháa, Anaaxhoots), who inherited the position from his own maternal uncle Charlie Bennett (Haagunk’aaxh, Anaaxhoots), whose maternal uncle was James Jackson (Anaaxhoots), who inherited the position from his own uncle, Alexis Annahootz (Anaaxhoots). James Jackson was one of the three main hosts of the “Last Potlatch” in 1904. Andrew hosted the 100-year commemoration of the “last potlatch” to show that the potlatch (koo.éex), correct lineages, marriages, songs, inheritance and rights are still known; Haa Khusteeyí Áyá (Our Way of Life) is still flourishing.
Andrew had a traditional mindset, discrediting the modern notions of “election” of clan leaders and the authority of outside entities dictating clan leadership, respecting instead the Tlingit tradition of blood-line inheritance through matrilineal descent. Andrew, citing Tlingit law, also forbade the use of any clan-owned possessions (at.óow) or the act of public speaking by anyone who marries within the same clan (moiety) or has had any such offense in their history. His interest was devoted to ensuring sustainability of Tlingit custom by respecting the ancestral ways so as not to jeopardize the longevity of the complex, sophisticated Tlingit social structure and balance of the Tlingit way of life.
Tlingit language learners and educators were especially commended by Andrew. Achievements and the commitment by organizations and students to strengthen Alaska Native communities, language, and people were highly regarded. Andrew recognized the importance educators, tribes, and organizations hold toward perpetuating the Tlingit language through academic instruction and encouraging Tlingit core values. It brought Andrew great pleasure to listen to and promote Tlingit speakers.
In keeping with matrilineal Tlingit tradition, Andrew named his niece Talia Eames (Ghaayéitli), the daughter of his sister Andrea (Gamble) Eames (Kháax’áchtuúk.aaxh), to look after all clan objects in his care until such time as the male of proper lineage can step  into the name of Anaaxhoots, Clan Leader of the Sitka Kaagwaantaan. Along with Talia, Andrew named Stuart Akagi (L.aanteech, Kaatshí) of the Two Door House as co-custodian; Stuart, being from a sister house of equal standing and child of the Deisheetaan, making him Andy’s clan-brother. Stuart and Talia are now custodians of the clan objects, lineages, names, songs as well as all claims Tlingit and/or Western, just as Andrew had.
Andrew asserted that the Anaaxhoots successor is to be determined by correct marriage and birth lineage according to the Tlingit way of life.
Andrew was preceded in death by his parents Andrew Gamble Sr. (Aanyá, K’ushteel, Toonéi) of the Deisheetaan Raven House and his mother Matilda (Paul) Gamble (Yeidíchkhulatseen); his sisters Adeline (Gamble)  Porter (Léex’t) and Andrea (Gamble) Eames (Kaax’achtuk.aaxh), and brothers Ivan Gamble Sr. (Háaguk’aax) and Melvin Gamble (K’axhook Éesh).
He is survived by his wife Joanne Wiita Gamble, his sisters Jean Hogue and Gina Evans and brother Jerry Gamble, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.