"Picturing a People: George Johnston, Tlingit Photographer" is a documentary film that explores the

life and work of George Johnston, a Tlingit photographer who captured the traditional practices and
customs of his community.

The Tlingit are Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America who share a
common cultural heritage. Tlingit means “people of the tides.” (McClellan, 2012). Tlingit territories
are located in the Pacific Northwest and cover parts of present-day British Columbia, Yukon and
Alaska (McClellan, 2012).

George Johnston was a Tlingit photographer born in Sitka, Alaska, in 1953. He was a self-taught
photographer who focused on capturing the traditional ways of his Tlingit culture. His work primarily
focused on his community's cultural practices, such as totem pole carving, traditional dances, and
other customs.

He captured the natural beauty of Alaska's landscapes and seascapes, showcasing the connection
between the Tlingit people and the land. Tlingit people believe that Johnston’s work is a testament
to the rich cultural heritage of the Tlingit people and their enduring traditions.

This film “Picturing a People” was directed by Carol Geddes and produced by the National Film Board
of Canada. It was released in 1997. Johnston's family and friends, as well as other Tlingit community
members were interviewed for this documentary, who reflect on the importance of his work and his
contributions to preserving Tlingit culture through photography.

The film also showcases a collection of Johnston's photographs. This documentary highlights the
importance of preserving cultural heritage and offers a unique perspective on Tlingit culture through
the lens of a talented photographer. The film has received critical acclaim and has been featured at
several film festivals, and it remains an important work in the field of indigenous filmmaking and
serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of George Johnston and the Tlingit people.

My insights:

In George’s pictures People were presented as they wanted to be seen.

He Recorded important events of his culture, such as day to day living events like hunting or out of
ordinary events like placing of the grave fence.

In the documentary we see Dolly Porter, the daughter of George Johnston sitting in Johnston town
and talking about her Father. She explains her father’s teachings and explains how she is forwarding
this knowledge to her children. Similarly, we see harry Morris, Nephew of George Johnston, speaking
about the Cultural knowledge passed down to him from his uncle and emphasizes the importance of
cultural heritage. Here we can see the knowledge being passed down through the generations as we
learned in the previous units.

One of his teachings as discussed by his daughter that if there are plenty of fish in the lake. Take only
what you need and leave the rest. Never do any animals wrong and they will not bother you. It’s like
another interpretation of take care of nature and in turn it will take care of you. that is a beautiful
interpretation of the Tlingit philosophy towards nature, and it speaks to the deep connection that
the Tlingit people have for the natural world and their commitment to living in harmony with nature.
It is a philosophy that has continued to the Tlingit people for thousands of years and continues to
guide their way of life today.

References:
McClellan, C. (2012, March 20). Tlingit. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 15,
2023, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inland-tlingit