For Heather Douville, the outdoors is more than a place for adventure; it’s a classroom, a provider, and the very essence of her Tlingit identity. Known by her traditional name, Kootink, Douville is the host of a new series, Our Way of Life, debuting September 29 at 8 p.m. ET on the Outdoor Channel. The series, produced by MeatEater where she contributes as a content creator, offers a look into the traditions of the Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska, guided by Douville’s powerful journey of reconnection.
Growing up in Craig, Alaska, Douville was surrounded by her culture, but like many, she moved away for a decade after high school. Her path back to her roots began in earnest at age 28, an age when many feel their life’s course is set. It was then that her father began teaching her to hunt. This wasn’t just about learning to shoot; it was about embracing a stewardship for the land, a core value of the Tlingit people. “If you can learn to shoot from a boat at something that’s moving, you’ll be able to hunt anything,” her dad told her. That lesson, learned on a skiff with a gifted rifle in hand, was the start of a transformative journey.
Our Way of Life documents this journey, following Douville as she harvests herring eggs, hunts sea otters, and crafts traditional halibut hooks, or náxw. The show is a celebration of living in alignment with nature’s calendar. More importantly, it is a testament to the resilience of a culture that has been passed down through storytelling for over 10,000 years. “I have a responsibility to pass that on to the next generation; to honor the people that came before me,” Douville explains.
Her path has been one of both learning and unlearning. In a world that often questions practices like hunting sea otters, Douville had to peel back layers of Western perspective to embrace a practice central to her own heritage. “Learning this helped me heal, shifted my perspective deeply, and reconnected me with my heritage,” she shares. This vulnerability is at the heart of her work, creating a space for others to explore their own roots without judgment.
In Tlingit culture, lineage follows the mother, and women are the strong pillars who care for the community. Douville embodies this strength. She started sharing her story on social media to document her father’s teachings after he was diagnosed with cancer, creating a resource for those who may not have a mentor like him. Her goal was clear: to create a space where young Indigenous women could see themselves represented. “I wanted my nieces and young girls to go on YouTube or social media and find someone that looks like them and learn more about where they came from and their culture,” she shared.
This series is her way of amplifying that mission on a larger scale. It’s an invitation for women everywhere to connect with their food, their history, and their unique place in the world. Douville’s story proves that it’s never too late to learn, to grow, or to reclaim the parts of yourself that ground you.
Tune in for the premiere of Our Way of Life on September 29 at 8 p.m. ET on the Outdoor Channel.
Author’s Note:
Heather shared a few of her native language’s words with us, knowing that many words don’t translate directly to the English language – including “hello” and “goodbye.” Instead, Heather shares, they say Wáa sá i tuwatee? — How is your spirit? A word Heather heard her dad say quite often is Lítaa, which means “knife.” She was always a big helper with her dad as they prepared their harvested game for food, fur, and shelter. Other words used were Gunalchéesh, which means “Thank you” and Kaa yaa awuné, which means “Respect.” Lastly, Heather said the phrase Kaa yaa awuné is a core value that extends to self, others, elders, the land, the sea, and animals. “It’s about holding one another up, listening and speaking with care, and upholding traditions,” she shared. And that is something we all can do more of, no matter our background or heritage.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
Start the Conversation