I'll ask a Tlingit! (Icy Strait Point (Alaska, USA))

Member Name: jo@145

Product:	Icy Strait Point (Alaska, USA)
Date:	19/11/08 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beutiful, tranquil Indian village in Alaska

Disadvantages: Have to go in by boat

Hoonah is the largest native Tlingit (pronounced klingit) Indian settlement in Alaska, and Icy Strait Point is just down the road from the village. In these days when diversification is necessary for survival, as fishing and logging is no longer providing sufficient income, the Tlingit chiefs and the cruise ship companies have reached an agreement. One ship is allowed in each day and although the harbour isn't deep enough for cruise ships the life boats are utilized to ferry guests ashore.

We were told that the original home of the Huna in Glacier Bay was destroyed by a glacial advance, at which time many Huna moved to the location of present-day Hoonah. In 1880,the North west trading company built the first store in Hoonah.

The very photogenic cannery dating back to 1930 has been restored and houses a display of how the salmon was canned and also several little shops selling local goods and artisan crafts, and other items that tourists want to buy, made locally rather than in China, as a lot of tourist things were in Juneau. The original cookhouse has also been converted to a restaurant and you can also buy crab sandwiches from a small outlet.
Excursions were booked in advance and we enjoyed a tour of the village, this gave two women work, one to drive the bus and the other was the guide, both local Tlingit women who went away but came back to have their families as city life was too different for them. They love the peace, the water, the friendliness and the fact in winter it is so cold that not much work is done, but lots of parties and socialising.

We found out about the ferries which people use to get down to Skagway, there is no doctor or hairdresser in Icy Strait Point , so ferries are essential, as are the small planes to get people off the island, and to bring supplies in. Although we weren't lucky enough to see a bear, we learned about them, the birds and deer and sea life. The entire village was burned down in 1944 but was re built again. We stopped at the local school and saw a canoe that was being carved from a tree in the local way, so old crafts were still being taught. It was interesting to learn about the Tlingit culture, there are two equal and reciprocal halves, Ravens and Eagles, called moieties. They take care of each other. Every Tlingit is a Raven or an Eagle, and you marry into the opposite moiety. When an Eagle dies, the Ravens support them. The culture and ceremonies are passed on and they have many celebrations lasting days. The Hoonah tour cost £25.

Some people took to kayaks and enjoyed the scenery from the sea, others went on boat trips to see humpback whales, orcas, dolphins and seals. The idea is to give visitors an authentic "wilderness experience". Cost for a 2½ trip was about£52.50 each.

A small theatre has been built in local sustainable wood and the totem poles outside enhance it, here you can view a programme about the native Alaskan culture and history. There are about 700 people living here and quite a number are involved in the tourist trade.

At one time the Bald Eagles had the space above the trees to themselves but now you can enjoy the scenery yourself for a few moments, as you are harnessed into a seat up a mountain 1,300ft above sea level, then you are launched off and racing down the 5,330 feet to the beach at speeds of up to 60mph! The Zip rider cable ride is six cables wide, and the screams of the people using it carried out to the ship. The whole trip takes about 1 hour, which includes the bus to take you to the launching area, the ride? It only takes 1½ minutes! There are several rules for safety and people must weigh between 90lbs and 275lbs, no back or neck problems and not pregnant, plus not afraid of heights and I think that goes without saying! It costs £49.50 for adults and children.

There were over 20 tours available in the area whilst we were moored in the bay, some people just went ashore and walked along the coast to the village. Obviously the people In Icy Strait Point and Hoonah make a lot of money from the cruise ships, but they have had to spend a lot to accommodate the number of people going ashore. The village hasn't been spoiled and it was a beautiful and tranquil place to visit.

PS As requested I am adding a little about the weather, we visited in the beginning of August, it was like a warm Spring day whilst we were there, but in other parts of Alaska we experienced rain and obviously if you go near the glaciers it is much colder.

Summary: An Indian village forced to make money from tourists but done in a beautiful way