Southeast Alaska

The islands of Southeast Alaska are home to three linguistic groups of native people. An Alaska nature cruise is a great way to see the culture on the coast. The Tlingit are the largest group, historically inhabiting most of what is today the “pan-handle”. The Tshimshian lived along the rivers, such as the Skeena - the arteries of trade into the interior mountains. The Haida people originated on the Queen Charlotte Islands, but moved north to inhabit the southern “pan-handle” in recent times. Each group holds in common similar traditions - the carving of totem poles, the great longhouses, and the potlatch ceremony. Some of the old villages are still inhabited.

Sail to destinations like the Tlingit communities of Angoon and Kake, and the Haida village of Kasaan. Other sites have been abandoned for the forest to reclaim. In the larger communities we can see some of the finest totem poles, moved from the old villages for safekeeping. As magnificent art, they still captivate the observer. There are fascinating petroglyph (rock carving) and pictograph (rock painting sites throughout the area.