Wilson Deacon

Last week I discussed the notion of "last speaker" and the way the term had been used in a news story about the passing of Holikachuk elder Wilson "Tiny" Deacon. Since that post it has been pointed out to me that some people found my questioning of the last speaker term to be disrespectful. To those people I offer a sincere apology. I in know way meant any disrespect toward Mr. Wilson, his family, or friends.

In fact, it is my respect for Wilson Deacon and other Alaska Native elders which led me to write the post. My concern was that we shouldn't objectify speakers with labels and sound bites which make for shocking headlines but obscure the real contributions of speakers of Alaska Native languages. But I admit this concern may be unfounded and may not be appropriate in a time of mourning.

Again, my apologies and condolences to the family and friends of Wilson Deacon. For more about Deacon's life see the obituary in the Anchorage Day News.