Tlingit Canoe and Culture Experience
Tlingit Canoe and Culture Experience
Hoonah is the epitome of the majestic wilderness Alaska is known for and the Tlingit tribe calls this fantastic place home in Icy Strait.
Hoonah is a picturesque seaside community surrounded by wilderness and is a place rich in culture and traditions. As such, don't pass up this opportunity to do something out of the ordinary and learn about a people and their culture.
Your guided tour will begin as you will navigate through the pristine waters of Icy Strait in one of the Tlingit tribe's traditional, hand-carved, dugout canoes (not to worry, your guide will provide you with a life vest and instructions on how to properly use the paddles). Once secured, you will enjoy helping to paddle an authentic 40-foot Tlingit Canoe. You will hear traditional songs, drumming and you will be taught phrases by your local, expert guide in Tlingit.
This incredible journey of new discoveries doesn't end with the Tinglit Canoe ride. You will also tour the canoe culture shed, "Yaakw Kahidi." There you will see beautifully handcrafted totems, wall panels, and a display of the "Xunaa Shuka Hit" tribe, where their stories will be interpreted for you. You will also learn about the traumatic event of the forced migration out of Glacier Bay and the recent partnership with the National Park Service.
You will be able to purchase authentic Tlingit souvenirs such as arts and crafts at the Kindei gift shop. After some free time here, you will be transported comfortably back to the cruise ship pier area.