Jennie Thlunaut (c. 1891–1986) was a Tlingit artist, who is credited with keeping the art of Chilkat weaving alive[1] and was one of the most celebrated Northwest Coastal master weavers of the 20th century.

[1][4][5] She was born in Lax̱acht'aak, in the Jilḵaat Ḵwaan (Chilkat Territory), Southeast Alaska,[5] where she led a typical Tlingit childhood, being outdoors and playing at the beach.

As a young girl Jennie showed interests in making baskets, moccasins, doing beadwork, and in weaving by the make-believe games she played with her friends.

Jennie was active in church and civic affairs and in traditional Tlingit ceremonies and potlatches throughout her life and has "been recognized for her life-long dedication to her home, family, people, and culture."

When her daughter attended Sheldon Jackson School, Jennie paid the tuition with a blanket she wove featuring a frog emerging from winter hibernation.

[4] During the early 20th century, Chilkat blankets were interred in graves, cut into pieces and distributed to mourners, or taken from the community into museums or private collections.

Many of the traditional and cultural arts of the Northwest coastal regions are experiencing a revival, and Jennie Thlunaut has been a seed carrier of knowledge to the younger generations.

"Jennie amazed us with her speed at weaving..." said contemporary Chilkat weaver Clarissa Hudson, "Her fingers seemed to fly through the warp, and she didn't even used a pattern.

"[3] Biographers Rosita Worl and Charles Smythe wrote, "She will be remembered as one of the most eminent and celebrated weavers of Tlingit ceremonial robes.