Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska Native Culture

Native culture and art flourishes throughout Southeast Alaska. Totem poles, dances, and tribal houses are all accessible from Ketchikan, most only a short walk of drive away. In Saxman, two miles south of town, is the Saxman Tribal House and Totem Park. The world famous Abraham Lincoln pole resides here. Residential and visiting carvers craft totem poles, paddles, canoes, and masks. North of town  is Totem Bight State Park, which boasts another collection of famous poles along with a Native community house. In town, the Totem Heritage Center is not to be missed. On display are a large number of poles that were found in abandoned villiages. Finally, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center offers more totem poles, baskets, and a wealth of information of information about traditional southeast cultures, like the fish camp exhibit.

Inside Passage Native cultures include the Tlingit (from Yakutat to Ketchikan), Haida (from Queen Charlotte Islands, Kasaan, and Hydaburg), and the Tsimshian (British Columbia, Hyder, Metlakatla, and south of Ketchikan).

Languages: The people of the coast have similiar complex social systems, but the languages are very different.

The Arts: Best known for their totem poles, Inside Passage Natives also create beautiful baskets, ceremonial robes and blankets, silver jewelry, woodcarvings, prints, bentwood boxes, and masks.

Subsistence: Blessed with abundant resources, West Coast people survived by subsistence, living off the land and the water- still a crucial part of their cultural identity. Museums display artistic, functional native tools like fish traps, harpoons, and spears, as well as clothing and regalia (ceremonial clothing).

Potlatch: The potlatch is the West Coast Native gathering to commemorate major life events, such as funerals, weddings, naming, raising totem poles, or eradicating shame or debt. It was a time of feasting, singing, dancing and gift giving to demonstrate wealth. Most potlatches traditionally lasted for days.

Social Structure: Coastal Native people have a matrilineal society; children inherit rights through their mothers. The Tlingit social system is based on two equal moieties, or halves (the Eagle or Wolf and the Raven).

Natives Today: Traditions are changing with the times although much remains and is as strong as ever. Native corporations help to keep the culture flourishing through language, cultural, and scholarship programs.

Celebration: In June of 2004, a biennial gathering of Native people from all over the United States and Canada will meet in Juneau to celebrate cultural diversity with dances, songs and workshops.