DNA tests set for connection to ancient man

KATHY DYE

May 29, 2008 at 10:02AM AKST

Sealaska Heritage Institute will sponsor DNA testing during Celebration 2008, which runs from June 5-7, to determine if a young Alaska Native man who lived 10,300 years ago has living descendants in Southeast.

Information from the DNA samples will be compared to DNA extracted from the remains, which were discovered by a paleontologist in 1996 in a cave on Prince of Wales Island.

Studies authorized by local tribes linked the remains to Alaska Native people living in areas from California to South America, said Rosita Worl, institute president.

The institute’s Council of Traditional Scholars and its Celebration Committee authorized the DNA study to determine if he is related to Southeast Alaska Natives, she said.

“It will scientifically prove that we’ve been here for 10,000 years,” she said.

“Our own people always say we have lived in Southeast Alaska since time immemorial. But beyond that, I think it would be very exciting to identify the kin who may have survived,” said Worl, noting the concept of Haa Shágoon (Tlingit), Íitl’ Kuníisii (Haida), and Hlaagigyadm (Tsimshian) unites Alaska Native people to their ancestors and to future generations.

Dr. Brian Kemp, lead researcher from Washington State University, and a team of colleagues will collect DNA samples in the lobby of Centennial Hall during the celebration. Kemp and his colleagues also spearheaded DNA research on the human remains, and their findings were reported last year in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

Alaska Native people who want to participate will sign a consent form authorizing use of their genetic material for the study. Scientists will collect DNA by swabbing the inside of participants’ cheeks.

The results of the study may be published or presented at professional meetings, but the identities of the participants will remain anonymous. The institute will contact any individuals whose DNA is linked to the ancient remains.

Scientists also will use the results to study the genetic variation among Alaska Natives and other indigenous populations, to learn about the genetic continuity of populations in Alaska and their relationships to other indigenous populations and to reconstruct population history.

The study will not be used for any commercial enterprise or DNA studies that may adversely affect participants, said Worl, noting that the institute had a hand in writing the consent form to ensure the interests of Alaska Native people were protected.

Worl cautioned that the study may not identify any DNA markers in people living today because such markers disappear from populations quickly. The absence of a match would not mean a connection does not exist; it may only mean too much time has passed to establish a connection through DNA testing, she said.

Kathy Dye is director of media and publications for Sealaska Heritage Institute, Juneau. She can be reached at (907) 586-9189 or by e-mail at kathy.dye@sealaska.com.