Heritage of the first Alaskans

Native art and culture flourishes here due to the large population of native Alaskans.  The three indigenous Pacific Northwest Indian tribes are the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian who considered the areas throughout Northern British Columbia and Southeast Alaska their territory.  Ketchikan is home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles, timeless monuments in cedar from the first Alaskans. 

Native dance comes alive with regular performances by skilled groups, just minutes from Ketchikan, at the Saxman Tribal House and at the Metlakatla Long House.  Two miles south from Ketchikan is Saxman Village.  Its totem park boasts the single largest collection of totems including the famed Abraham Lincoln pole and the Seward “shame” pole.  Following in the footsteps of their ancestors, carvers and their apprentices can be viewed sculpting poles, canoes, paddles and masks. 

In a beautiful cove eight miles north of Ketchikan is Totem Bight State Park, where an historic collection of totems and a native community house can be visited. 

Ketchikan’s Totem Heritage Center displays a large collection of original poles retrieved from abandoned village sites and hosts classes teaching traditional art forms like weaving and regalia making. 

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center houses contemporary poles, examples of native basketry and other crafts and a traditional Native fish camp exhibit. 

Throughout Ketchikan, totems are on display at public parks and even local residences.  Several local art galleries specialize in authentic Alaska native art, from miniature totems and hand woven basketry, to carved silver, fabric art and original drawings and paintings.