,ALASKA

In the summer of 2021, I had the honor and opportunity to visit the only Native Reserve in Alaska named “Metlakatla”. Though Alaska homes 228 Federally Recognized Tribes (BIA.gov), Alaska’s indigenous people are jointly called Alaska Natives, divided into five major groupings: Aleuts, Northern Eskimos (Inupiat), Southern Eskimos (Yuit), Interior Indians (Athabascans) and Southeast Coastal Indians (Tlingit and Haida)(PBS.org). However, on Metlakatla, the island mostly houses the Ts’msyan or Tshimshian nation. The Tshimshian nation originated from British Columbia, Canada in Prince Rupert & Terrace before being forced and brought to the Annette Island in Alaska.

Having the experience to stay in Metlakatla for the week (and my first time in Alaska), I had learned much not only about the history of the Native Reserve, but also the community of 1450~ people (US Census) that have made up the island since the forming in 1887.

You can read about my time and more history on Metlakata here.