Native Alaska Culture, USA
Airing Date: Apr 9th, 2002
One of the highlights are the large clan houses where up to 50 clan members would sit around the central fireplace at any one time eating and socialising. The houses were made out of wood and were totally moveable at a few days notice.
Just south of Ketchikan is Saxman Native Village and Totem Bight Rainforest Park.
The Saxman Village is where you really see the culture come alive with traditional dancers wearing carved masks representing creatures from a mythical world.
The Tlingit people are artistic by nature and their fine sense of workmanship and design is best exemplified through the medium of carving.
One of the most powerful symbols of native American culture is the totem pole. They often surrounded clan houses, recording the history and legends of the first Alaskans.
The Totem Bight State Park has 14 totems on show, most of which are more than 50 years old.
Here you can also visit a carving studio where you'll see totems being hand-crafted.
You can walk or kayak your way around the entire village of Ketchikan and in summer, the creek is full of salmon migrating upstream.
Creek Street was once a notorious red-light district during the days of prohibition and its most famous brothel, Dolly's House, is now a museum.
CLICK HERE for a recipe for delicious Alaskan Smoked Salmon Chowder.
The facts
Air New Zealand flies daily to LA from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne via Auckland. Prices start from $1499 from the east coast and $1884 from the west coast.
Air New Zealand
Tel: 13 24 76 (Airfares)
Tel: 1300 365 525 (Holiday Packages)
Website: www.airnz.co.nz
Alaska Airlines has regular connections to Ketchikan starting from $528 per person.
Alaska Airlines
Tel: 02 9244 2317
Website: www.alaskaairlines.com
A great place to stay is West Coast Cape Fox Lodge. Double rooms start from $337 per night.
Guided tours of the Saxman Village are run daily for around $66 per person.
West Cape Fox Lodge
Tel: 00 111 907 225 8001 (international)
Ketchikan Convention and Visitors Bureau
Tel: 00 111 907 225 6166 (international)
Website: www.visit-ketchikan.com
Suggested Reading Material
Lonely Planet
Website: www.lonelyplanet.com
Rough Guides
Website: www.roughguides.com
