We booked this excursion as a fun experience for our niece who was along on this cruise and it turned out to be as interesting and educational as we had hoped.
The Village of Saxman was founded in the late 19th century when residents of the traditional Tlingit villages of Cape Fox and Tongass, decided to consolidate their communities at a new site. In 1894, a village site was chosen on a protected harbor off the Tongass Narrows. Saxman was named after a Presbyterian teacher, Samuel Saxman, who was lost in a canoe accident while seeking a site for the new village to be built. The name Tlingit means “People of the Tides”
A small sawmill was built, and a school and houses were constructed. Fishing and cutting lumber for the growing towns of Saxman and Ketchikan were the economic mainstays of the new village and of course now tourism is a very large business.
A small sawmill was built, and a school and houses were constructed. Fishing and cutting lumber for the growing towns of Saxman and Ketchikan were the economic mainstays of the new village and of course now tourism is a very large business.
Many of the totem poles and ceremonial artifacts you will see at the village were retrieved in the 1930’s, from the abandoned Tlingit and Haida villages at Cape Fox, Tongass, Cat Island, and Pennock Island. The totem poles were restored and relocated to Saxman as part of a United States Forest Service program.
The meanings of the designs on totem poles are as varied as the cultures that make them. The poles may recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events. They also commemorate historic persons or represent shamanic powers, though the totem poles were never objects of worship. Some poles were even used as objects of public ridicule for village offenders.
The meanings of the designs on totem poles are as varied as the cultures that make them. The poles may recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events. They also commemorate historic persons or represent shamanic powers, though the totem poles were never objects of worship. Some poles were even used as objects of public ridicule for village offenders.
The park includes a carving center which you can visit, a tribal house, and a cultural hall where you can watch traditional Tlingit dance exhibitions. Art and spirituality are incorporated in nearly all areas of Tlingit culture and you will see the evidence of this in the paintings, carvings and performances.
The Beaver Clan House is where you will see the traditional clan dances. There is a rich tradition of oratory and the songs and dances performed are property of the clan.
The clans are a matrilineal system. Children are born to the mother's clan and gain their status within her family, including originally, the traditional hereditary leadership positions. In Tlingit culture a heavy emphasis is placed upon family and kinship.
The Beaver Clan House is where you will see the traditional clan dances. There is a rich tradition of oratory and the songs and dances performed are property of the clan.
The clans are a matrilineal system. Children are born to the mother's clan and gain their status within her family, including originally, the traditional hereditary leadership positions. In Tlingit culture a heavy emphasis is placed upon family and kinship.
The traditional dress for the dances include the colorful “Button Blankets” A button blanket is a wool blanket that is to be worn as a cape, embellished with mother-of-pearl buttons. They are often given as gifts at ceremonial dances and huge feasts called “potlatches”.
The blankets became a tradition after they were originally acquired from the traders of the Hudson’s Bay Company during the mid-19th century. The trade blankets were typically dark blue and decorated with buttons made from abalone or dentalium shells. The central crest typically portrays a symbol of the wearer's family heritage. Contemporary button blankets are also made in other colors such as bright red.
The traditional songs and dances welcomed us to the village and the performers ranged from tiny children to respected elders. The vibrantly painted interior with its two large totems along with the chants and rhythms drew us into what felt like a very spiritual experience.
The blankets became a tradition after they were originally acquired from the traders of the Hudson’s Bay Company during the mid-19th century. The trade blankets were typically dark blue and decorated with buttons made from abalone or dentalium shells. The central crest typically portrays a symbol of the wearer's family heritage. Contemporary button blankets are also made in other colors such as bright red.
The traditional songs and dances welcomed us to the village and the performers ranged from tiny children to respected elders. The vibrantly painted interior with its two large totems along with the chants and rhythms drew us into what felt like a very spiritual experience.
Finally breaking the solemnity, visitors are encouraged to join in the last dance which I must say was pretty amusing!
Saxman Native Village is very interesting to visit and our young niece really enjoyed learning about the history and culture of the Southeastern Alaskan native peoples.
Saxman Native Village is very interesting to visit and our young niece really enjoyed learning about the history and culture of the Southeastern Alaskan native peoples.
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