Tlingit Artist James Johnson: Haa Shagoon—The Path Forward

The Field Museum is thrilled to announce the acquisition of James Johnson’s Bear Tunic, the winner of four prizes from the 2026 Sealaska Celebration Juried Art Show, including Best of Show. The piece, a hand sewn garment made from black bear hide and hand painted formline design, was originally inspired by a Tlingit bear tunic in the Field Museum collections, acquired from James’ ancestral village in 1902. The work represents both James’ talent and his commitment to the study and teaching of traditional formline design. As he puts it “To be a Tlingit artist is a gift. This gift was given to me by my ancestors. They placed this in my hands for a reason. I’m carrying this gift throughout my lifetime, then when it’s my time, I’ll pass it on to the next…The youth are such a driving force, they are powerful, they are our future.” The tunic will remain on display at the Sealaska Heritage Institute through December 2026.