SAXMAN NATIVE VILLAGE
Discover the heritage and customs of Alaska’s Indigenous Tlingit community on this excursion of about two hours, with a visit to Saxman Totem Park. You’ll embark on a guided tour of the site, finding out about totem pole carving, canoe building and fishing, as well as watching a musical performance.
Excursion details
No trip to Southeast Alaska is complete without learning about the region’s Indigenous communities. This approximately two-hour excursion is a chance to find out about one such group: the Tlingit people.
A transfer of about 15 minutes will take you from the port directly to Saxman Totem Park. Established in the 1930s, the park sits within the grounds of the original Saxman village, a settlement founded by Tlingit groups who relocated from nearby villages in the late 1800s.
Once arrived, you’ll head out on an approximately 90-minute guided tour of the site. During the tour, you’ll hear about Tlingit carving techniques used to craft traditional canoes, and will also learn about the community’s methods of fishing.
Gain more insights at the carving centre, where you may be able to see totem poles being carved by hand, before moving on to the totem pole park to view the collection of largely restored totem poles, many worked on by Tlingit carvers. As you stroll, informative displays will explain the significance of each totem pole and the figures carved into it.
The guided tour also involves a presentation of traditional songs and dance, performed in a Tlingit dialect.
Afterwards, there’s a transfer of around 15 minutes from Saxman Totem Park back to the port, concluding the excursion.
Important Information:Guests must be at least 4 years old to participate. It is recommended that guests wear proper attire and comfortable shoes
