Tlingit Cultural Experience

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the captivating past and present culture of the indigenous Tlingits and view local wildlife at the Fortress of the Bear rehabilitation center. The Sitka National Historical Park holds a treasure-trove of artifacts from the First Nations people of Southeast Alaska, none more valued than the ornately carved Tlingit and Haida totem poles that line the trail outdoors. The totems convey ancestry, history, folklore, and real-life experiences. Inside the Visitor’s Center you will have the opportunity to see other totems – and perhaps catch Native artists at work. At the Sheldon Jackson Museum, you will be surrounded by the state’s largest collection of Alaska Native ethnographic artifacts. To enhance your understanding of the culture, you will watch a performance at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi tribal community house, a replica of a traditional Tlingit clan house. The emphasis will turn to native wildlife at the Fortress of the Bear, where rescued Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears and Black Bears are provided a safe haven. You will view these magnificent creatures from an elevated observation deck.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the artifacts and walk the totem-lined trail at the Sitka National Historical Park.
• See the extraordinary collection of Alaska Native artifacts at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
• Watch a Tlingit cultural performance at a replica clan house.
• See rescued Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears and Black Bears up close in various stages of rehabilitation.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.