Friday, October 10, 2008

Native Culture


Ketchikan was the first port of call for our cruise ship. Alaska's "first city," is located five hundred miles north of Seattle. Wedged between water and forested mountains, 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. They're so cool!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Being the avid shopper that I am, I would hope to find some authentic Alaskan treasures to bring back as gifts and souvenirs from towns like this. I would hope to find some wood carvings, jewelry, and other artwork that may strike my fancy.

Anonymous said...

Those totem poles are awesome. I want to get a really big one and use it as a lawn decoration in my backyard. Can the gift shop ship them to the lower 48? I know I couldn't fit the one I want in one of those little ship cabins...

Ms. B. said...

These totem poles are incredible!!! How small you must have felt standing next to them!!! I would love to see more pics when we get together! Maybe you can email me some so I can show my Crafts students. Wow!