My name is James Reed, and I am Kingsawin of the Tongass Tribe of the Tlingit people. As a fourth-generation shipwright and emerging Indigenous artist, I am deeply rooted in the rich maritime traditions of the Pacific Northwest. Our Tlingit People have a long history as “The People of the Tides,” a canoe culture thriving along the coast of North America. I am honored to carry on this legacy, drawing inspiration from my ancestors and the vibrant culture of the Tlingit people. Gunalchéesh, thank you for visiting my website!
I was born in Juneau in Southeast Alaska. My family came from Tongass Island, south of Ketchikan, where my indigenous ancestors thrived as mariners, navigating the waters in canoes, and living off the land as fishermen, hunters, and gatherers. This maritime heritage deeply influenced my path, leading me to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather, Master Carver Charles “Charlie” Brown.
My grandfather was a renowned shipwright and artist, known for his masterful carving of totem poles in Saxman Village and Totem Bight State Park. He became a Park Ranger and worked as lead caver alongside my great-grandfather, Chief William Brown, and James Starrish, together they played a crucial role in the preservation of these cultural treasures.
Our Tlingit Tribe boasts a rich legacy of craftsmanship and artistry. Like my grandfather, I pursued my passion for boatbuilding. We both graduated as shipwrights and craftsman, from the same trade school, decades apart, in Tacoma, Washington, with certifcations in boat building. I went on to Northwest Indian College to complete after my associate’s degree and while I was there I created a program to build and repair canoes and taught canoe making.
I’ve been living aboard my sailboat, SpiritHawk, for over two decades. This magnificent 1972 Pacific Northwest Schooner was rescued from a Seattle boatyard and lovingly rebuilt by my own hands. Recently, SpiritHawk underwent a significant refit, preparing her for exciting adventures in the Bahamas and eventually Guatemala and beyond.
You can follow my progress on the resfit of SpiritHawk on Facebook. www.facebook.com/sailingspirithawk
You can also follow our adventure blog, Sailing SpiritHawk Into the Emerald Blue – Click Here
Why Kingsawin and Why was Kingsawin Designs’ Etsy Shop was formerly called A Pony on My Boat?
I am often asked how I came to be known as Kingsawin. Our people are part of a matriarchal society. My Grandmother Margaret gave me my Indian name, Kingsawin, which I use as my artist name. It was my Mother’s Brother, my Uncle Charles Indian name and I consider it a great honor for me to have received this name. I am not the only grand child of Charles Brown as I have 3 siblings and have 5 first cousins living today, as I write this, along along with Charles great and great great grandchildren. As for our former Etsy Shop name, A Pony On My Boat, it came from living on a boat and it is one of my favorite songs by Lyle Lovett: If I Had A Boat.
Gunalchéesh *, Thank you….
— Kingsawin
*Gunascheesh Definition: Thank You in Tlingit or Lingut as our language is known.
*Kootéeyaa : totem pole in Tlingit.