Tlingit Artist Designs IRONMAN Alaska Logo

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Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 3:34 AM

By Klas Stolpe

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Sealaska Heritage Institute president Rosita Worl, whose Tlingit names are Yeidiklasókw and Kaaháni, with the IRONMAN Alaska Juneau logo. (Klas Stolpe)

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The rich and beautiful history of the Tlingit people in Alaska and specifically in Juneau will be shared with the world as local artist Crystal Worl was commissioned to create the IRONMAN Alaska logo.

  The logo was displayed on Monday during an announcement on the University of Alaska Southeast dock by the IRONMAN Group of Juneau’s selection for their newest triathlon. Worl’s design under the IRONMAN trademark logo shows a black and red formline salmon.

  “I am thrilled to share Tlingit art and cultural values on Áak’w Ḵwáan territory,” Crystal Worl said in a press release. “The salmon symbolizes the strength, resilience, and endurance it takes for the journey home to spawn. It is this salmon that brings nitrogen and nutrients from the deep ocean to our land, which has enabled our land to become as lush and green as it is! It is with great honor I am able to create the IRONMAN logo for my hometown Juneau!”

  Crystal Worl partners with her brother Rico Worl in the local Juneau business, Trickster Company, and their formline art technique is a foundation of their Alaska Native culture.

  Their grandmother, Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl, whose Tlingit names are Yeidiklasókw and Kaaháni, spoke at the IRONMAN Alaska announcement.

  Rosita Worl is Tlingit, Ch’áak’ (Eagle) moiety of the Shangukeidí­ (Thunderbird) Clan from the Kawdliyaayi Hít (House Lowered From the Sun) in Klukwan.

  She was asked what it meant to have the beauty and strength of the Tlingit people represented in the IRONMAN Alaska logo.

  “I think it is great,” she said. “Part of our mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding and support cultural diversity. And here we have people from all around the world who have the same cultural values that we have - Haa Latseení­ - strength of body, mind and spirit. It’s a common cultural value. And it is a cultural value that I think strengthens us as a people, as a society, and I think that is what is good for everybody. It’s not good just for the Tlingits and Haidas and Tsimshian and it’s not good just for the athlete but I think it is good for the world.”

Above - The formline black and red salmon design by Tlingit artist Crystal Worl that appears on the IRONMAN Alaska logo.

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