Lance Twitchell

Lance’s Tlingit names are X’unei and Du Aaní Kawdinóok, and his Haida name is K’eijáakw. He is Tlingit, Haida, and Yup’ik—born and raised in Alaska.  Twitchell is an author, poet, artist, musician, traditionalist, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  He is a lifelong student and teacher of the Tlingit language, and works in various media to search for stories that need to be told, that contain a common suffering, joy, and knowledge.

Publications & Awards

·      “Nanook Sweats,” “Release,” “Definition: Trickster,” “Ode to Tlingit,” “Yellow Hair Takes the Fat and We Lament His Speedy Departure,” and “Dark Skin and Betraying Uncle,” poems, published in Yellow Medicine Review (Spring, 2009).

·      “Xíxhch’,” giclée print, third place, Fairbanks Arts Association Digital Media Art Contest (January, 2009).

·      “A Voice in the Dusk: Language and the Modern Day Warrior,” essay, Third Place, Harold McCracken Award for Outstanding Fiction and Nonfiction Writing About Alaska and the North Country (Spring, 2009).

·      “In a Backstroke of Pedals,” short story, second place, Farthest North Fiction Contest (Spring, 2009).

·      “Kids in Schizophrenia,” memoir, winner, Harold McCracken Award for Outstanding Fiction and Nonfiction Writing About Alaska and the North Country (Spring, 2008).

·      “Du Xoonx’í Yán, Dleit Geedí,” giclée print, winner, Alaska Native Heritage Month Art Showcase (November, 2008).

·      “The Saving Son,” a short story, published in Tidal Echoes literary magazine (Spring, 2007).

·      Tlingit Dictionary: Northern Dialect,self-published 2005

Current Projects & Positions

·      Coyote’s Song, a novel; Raven Speak, a play; Pebbles from the Beach, a screenplay; Tlingit Dictionary: Northern Dialect (3rd edition)

·      Teaching Assistant—University of Alaska Fairbanks, English Department

·      Tlingit Language & Culture Education Specialist—Carcross/Tagish First Nations