Page 59 - Travel Guide Fly Alaska Edition
P. 59

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE












                         BEARS • GLACIERS       HISTORY



        Wrangell is a small town that encompasses   (CCC) took on the project to restore and   held called hit wóoshdei yadukicht or “dancing
      quintessential Alaska.  From bears to pristine   preserve totem poles and traditional  Alaska   the joints of the house together.”  Dances were
      rivers to cultural heritage sites to glaciers, there   Native architecture. The site selected for this   performed, traditional clan stories  were told,
      is something for everyone here.  While the U.S.   New Deal  Work Relief project  was Shakes   Chief Shakes VII was officially recognized and
      Forest Service only gives out approximately 60   Island, outside of Wrangell. This was the area   the  Tlingit people  were respected and their
      bear viewing permits a  day for Anan Wildlife   where the main clan house of the Naanya.aayi,   culture honored.
      Observatory, there are plenty of other unique   who  were the leadership clan of the  Tlingit,
      tours in and outside the city of Wrangell that   once proudly stood. Elders of the Tlingit clan   The  Tribal House underwent a second
      are just as memorable.               remembered how the traditional houses were   restoration in 2011 that included taking the
                                           constructed and for several  years, the CCC   depression-era building apart piece by
      Cultural Sites                       worked together with native clansmen and the   piece; then an improved structure  was built
      Chief Shakes Tribal House            Wrangell community to build the Tribal House   with cedar boards, copper trim and new and
        In 1937, during the height of the Great   in the spiritual heartland of the Tlingit. At the   original artwork.  Today, the Chief Shakes
      Depression,  the  Civilian  Conservation  Corps   completion of the project a special feast was   Tribal House still stands as a testimony to























































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