Chief (Simeon) Ezi

of the Once Powerful Eklutnas

Is Given Colorful Adieu

Anchorage Times 2/24/1935

    Covered in a beautiful fringed and highly colored blanket, and with another warm blanket beside him, and wearing a strikingly designed, new, pair of mukluks, and attired in a new suit of clothes and other garnishments, Chief Ezi, for many years the respected idol of the once powerful tribe of Eklutnas, was laid to rest in the Anchorage Cemetery.

    Mourned by scores of his people who were present, and also honored by a number of white friends, the old  Chieftan was lowered into the grave as men, women and children of his tribe chanted in Russian and as the burial ritual was recited in Russian by Mrs. Billy Austin.

    The old Chief rests beneath a “TOP” house, largest of the kind seen in this region, made by his own sons and placed above the grave yesterday immediately after the service and burial.  The house stands 5 feet above the grave, is 6½ feet long and 3½ feet wide.  Over the house rises a large wooden cross, cut out of a log in one solid piece.

    The services continued for 2 hours and were characterized with numerous songs, chants and readings, all in Russian, according to the ritual of the Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in who’s faith they had been reared and trained from childhood.

Thanks to Coleen Mielke  Source page

Bill EZI - Born September 5, 1899 ; Died January 15, 1971

Peter EZI Born November 5, 1937; Died February 3, 1994

Mike ALEX Born March 12, 1908; Died August 1977

Joyce STINEBURG  Born December 6, 1942; Died July 20, 1996

Myron STINEBURG Born December 22, 1951; Died April 30, 1999

Rita STINEBURG Born March 15, 1914; Died September 1984