Bessie Cooley

Teslin, YT

Cultural Presenter

My names are Kèyishí in Tlingit and Bessie Cooley in English. I belong to the Kùkhhittàn Clan of the Inland Tlingit Nation. I live in Teslin, Yukon Territory. I was born at Smart River, Yukon Territory. I lived a traditional life style until I went to a residential school in Carcross, Yukon Territory.

My first language is Tlingit and second is English. I have been involved in the Tlingit language all my life. I am an interpreter and translator.

My husband and I have been married for 55 years, have 2 daughters and 3 grand children.

I earned an Associate degree in Native Language Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Alaska Native Studies as the Major and Tlingit Language as the Minor