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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Metlakatla, AK
| Current Population: |
1,370 (2004 State Demographer estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated, Indian Reservation
(Federal) |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority |
| Location
and Climate |
| Metlakatla is
located at Port Chester on the west coast of Annette Island, 15 miles
south of Ketchikan. By air, it is 3.5 hours from Anchorage and 1.5 hours
from Seattle. The community lies at approximately 55.129590° North
Latitude and -131.57496° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 05, T078S, R092E,
Copper River Meridian.) Metlakatla is located in the Ketchikan
Recording District. The area encompasses 130.2 sq. miles of land and
83.8 sq. miles of water. Metlakatla is in the maritime climate zone
with warm winters, cool summers, and an average annual precipitation of
115 inches (nearly 10 feet,) including 61 inches of snowfall. 200 inches
of annual rainfall has been recorded. Summer temperatures range from 36
to 52; winter temperatures range 28 to 42. |
| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| Metlakatla means "saltwater channel
passage," and was founded by a group of Canadian Tsimshians who migrated
from Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 1887 seeking religious freedom.
They were led by a Scottish lay priest in the Anglican Church (Church of
England), Reverend William Duncan, who had begun his missionary work
with the Tsimshians at Fort Simpson, B.C., in 1857. Rev. Duncan traveled
to Washington D.C. around 1886 to personally request land from President
Grover Cleveland for the Tsimshians. The Island was selected by a local
search committee, and by 1890, there were 823 residents. Congress
declared Annette Island a federal Indian reservation in 1891. Residents
built a church, a school, a sawmill and a cannery, and constructed homes
in an orderly grid pattern. Duncan continued to inspire and lead his
followers until his death in 1918. In 1927, the community built a
hydroelectric plant. During World War II, the U.S. Army constructed a
large air base a few miles from town, which was later used for
commercial amphibian flights to Ketchikan. The U.S. Coast Guard also
maintained a base on the Island until 1976. The Annette Island Reserve
remains the only federal reservation for indigenous peoples in Alaska.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the
Metlakatla Indian Community (Annette Island Federal Reserve). The
population of the community consists of 89.7% Alaska Native or part
Native. It is a traditional Tsimshian
community on the federal Annette Island Reserve, with an active economy
and subsistence lifestyle. It is the only Indian reservation in Alaska.
The community was not part of ANSCA. The 86,000 acre Island reservation
and surrounding 3,000 feet of coastal waters are locally-controlled and
not subject to state jurisdiction. The community regulates commercial
fishing in these waters, and also operates its own tribal court system,
including a Tribal Juvenile Court and Tribal Appellate Court. Salmon,
halibut, cod, seaweed, clams and waterfowl are important subsistence
food sources. During the 2000 U.S.
Census, total housing units numbered 531, and vacant housing units
numbered 62. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 11. U.S.
Census data for Year 2000 showed 501 residents as employed. The
unemployment rate at that time was 20.85 percent, although 48.98 percent
of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income
was $43,516, per capita income was $16,140, and 8.01 percent of
residents were living below the poverty level. |
|
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A concrete dam on Chester Lake provides
water to a 200,000-gal. water tank in the main community. A second water
source, Yellow Hill Lake, serves Annette and the airport, but water is
not treated. In the main community, piped gravity sewage system provides
primary treatment in an aerated lagoon with effluent discharge through
an ocean outfall. 485 homes and the school are served by the system, and
all are fully plumbed. The Annette and airport area use individual
septic tanks. 40-year-old sewer mains, serving 100 homes, need
replacement. The community's water system and landfill do not require
state permits, because the reserve is not within state jurisdiction.
Metlakatla Power & Light owns and operates the Purple Lake and Chester
Lake Hydroelectric facilities, and the Centennial Diesel Plant.
Electricity is provided by Metlakatla Power & Light. There are 3 schools
located in the community, attended by 287 students. Local hospitals or
health clinics include Annette Island Family Medical Clinic (886-4744).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Metlakatla is
classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS
Region 3B in the Annette Island Region. Emergency Services have marine,
floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911
Telephone Service and volunteers Auxiliary health care is provided by
Metlakatla Vol. Fire/EMS/Ambulance (886-7922/886-4011). |
|
Economy and Transportation |
Metlakatla's economy is based primarily
on fishing, fish processing and services. Because it is a federal Indian
reservation, there are no local taxes. The community built a salmon
hatchery on Tamgas Creek which releases millions of fry of all five
salmon species. The largest employer is the Metlakatla Indian Community,
which operates the hatchery, the tribal court, and all local services.
Annette Island Packing Co. is a cold storage facility owned by the
community. The cannery and two sawmills no longer operate. 49 residents
hold commercial fishing permits. The community is interested in
developing tourism. Residents rely on salmon, halibut, clams and
waterfowl for food.
Metlakatla is accessible by air and water. The Annette Island Airport is
owned and operated by the community, with a 7,500' asphalt runway and a
5,700' gravel crosswind runway. Two seaplane bases are available -- one
State-owned, and one community-owned at Port Chester. Scheduled float
plane services are available from Ketchikan. Port facilities include a
dock with a barge ramp, two small boat harbors, and two marine ways. The
Corps of Engineers is providing major improvements to Tamgas Harbor. The
State ferry serves Metlakatla from Ketchikan only between the spring and
fall. Significant improvements to the ferry facilities are under
construction. Freight arrives by barge. A $40 million road is under
construction to link the northern end of Annette Island and Ketchikan
with a proposed hourly ferry. The 14.7-mile Walden Point Road is
expected to be completed by 2007. |
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Local Business Listings
Add Your Listing
Metlakatla Inn |
Email |
PO Box 670, Metlakatla,
AK 99926 | Phone:
1-907-886-3456
Metlakatla Inn (formerly Metlakatla Hotel) Has 7 bedrooms 5 with private
bath. All rooms have new Simmons Beautyrest queen beds, TV's with cable and
built in DVD, stainless microwaves and fridges. Limited phone service is in
each room. Wireless internet service in each room available FEB. 1st. Fax
available. Full service breakfast and dinner are served at the guests
request. This property is a few blocks from the Council Chambers, Annette
Island Service Unit, Schools, Floatplanes and most everything else. We do
have a 2001 Ford F-350 available for rent with more
vehicles to be added. (907) 886-3456 reservations. Edith and Dale Olin
(owners) . Conveniently Located. |