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Klukwan
(CLUCK-wahn); a.k.a. Chilkat (CHILL-cat)
For Photos of Klukwan click here
For a Map of Klukwan click here
| Current Population: |
102
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Coastal Management District: |
Northern Southeast |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Klukwan is located on the north bank of the Chilkat River, about 22 miles north of Haines, off the Haines Highway. It lies at the junction of the Kleheni and Tsirku Rivers, 100 miles northeast of Juneau. It is the only inland settlement in Southeast Alaska. The community
lies at approximately 59.399600° North Latitude
and -135.893310° West Longitude.
(Sec. 33, T028S, R056E, Copper River Meridian.)
Klukwan is located in the
Haines Recording District.
Klukwan has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Average summer temperatures range from 42 to 66; winter temperatures average from 4 to 31. They receive much less precipitation than is typical of Southeast Alaska. Total precipitation averages 23 inches a year, with 104 inches of snow. |
Topographic
map of
Klukwan
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| In 1880, the U.S. Navy reported the name of the village as "Chilcat of Klukquan," which is said to mean "the old town." The Chilkat tightly controlled the trails to trade with Interior Indians. At that time, the Chilkat numbered approximately 1,000 among five area villages. In 1881, the Willard mission and school was constructed in Haines. Four canneries were built in the area by the turn of the century. In the late 1890s, the Dalton Trail from Chilkat Inlet to Whitehorse offered an easier route for wagons and cattle to the Klondike gold fields. However, the Chilkoot Trail out of Skagway was used by most prospectors. By the early 1900s, Klukwan was the last remaining Chilkat village in the area.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Chilkat Indian Village.
The population of the community consists of 88.5%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Klukwan is a traditional Tlingit village, well known for its Chilkat blankets and dance robes woven from mountain goat hair and cedar bark. Fishing, logging and subsistence activities support the community. The area hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world, at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Reserve. Residents subsist on salmon and eulachon from the Chilkat River.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 85, and vacant housing units numbered 41.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 12.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 32 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
44.83 percent,
although
66.32 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $30,714, per capita income was $11,612, and
1.53 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from a groundwater infiltration gallery and is stored in a 126,000 gal. tank. Approximately 90% of homes are connected to the piped water and sewer system and are fully plumbed. A recycling center is available.
Electricity is provided by Inside Passage Electric Cooperative.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 16
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Klukwan Clinic (907-767-5592).
Klukwan is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region. Emergency Services have highway, marine, and helicopter access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Klukwan EMS (907-767-5599).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Logging on village corporation lands on Prince of Wales Island provides seasonal jobs. The community is also dependent on subsistence. Salmon, halibut, shellfish, deer, mountain sheep, bear and berries are harvested in season. Several residents participate in blanket weaving, jewelry making and moccasin sewing. The village wants to develop a Cultural Heritage Center and Museum to attract tourism, featuring Tlingit artifacts and a bald eagle observatory.
Klukwan is accessible from the Haines Highway, which is connected to the Alcan Highway through Canada. Residents rely on the scheduled air flights, harbor, dock, barge, ferry and trucking services of Haines. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Corporation -
Klukwan, Incorporated
P.O. Box 209
Haines, AK 99827
Phone 907-766-2211
Fax 907-789-3525
E-mail tomc@klukwan.com
Web http://www.klukwan.com
Village Council -
Chilkat Indian Village
P.O. Box 210
Haines, AK 99827-0210
Phone 907-767-5505
Fax 907-767-5518
E-mail klukwan@chilkatindianvillage.org
Web http://www.chilkatindianvillage.org/
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Sealaska Corporation
One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400
Juneau, AK 99801-1276
Phone 907-586-1512
Fax 907-586-2304
E-mail todd.antioquia@sealaska.com
Web http://www.sealaska.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
3245 Hospital Dr.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-463-4000
Fax 907-463-4075
E-mail admin@searhc.org
Web http://www.searhc.org/
Regional Native Non-Profit - Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
320 W. Willoughby Ave., Suite 300
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-586-1432
Fax 907-586-8970
E-mail econdev@ccthita.org
Web http://www.ccthita.org
Regional Development - Southeast Conference
P.O. Box 21989
Juneau, 99802
Phone 907-523-2327
Fax 907-463-5670
E-mail shellyw@seconference.org
Web http://www.seconference.org
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