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Metlakatla
(MET-luh-KAT-luh); a.k.a. Annette Island Reserve
For a Map of Metlakatla click here
| Current Population: |
1,318
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated, Indian Reservation (Federal) |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Location
and Climate |
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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 -131.574960° West Longitude.
(Sec. 05, T078S, R092E, Copper River Meridian.)
Metlakatla is located in the
Ketchikan Recording District.
Metlakatla is in the maritime climate zone with warm winters, cool summers, and an average annual precipitation of 115 inches (nearly 10 feet) and 61 inches of snowfall. 200 inches of annual rainfall has been recorded. Summer temperatures range from 36 to 52 °F; winter temperatures range from 28 to 42 °F. |
Topographic
map of
Metlakatla
area
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| 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 Reverend William Duncan, a Scottish lay priest of the Anglican Church (Church of England), who had begun his missionary work with the Tsimshians at Fort Simpson, BC, in 1857. Rev. Duncan traveled to Washington, DC, 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, school, sawmill, and 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 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.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A concrete dam on Chester Lake provides water to a 200,000-gallon 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, a 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 airport area uses individual septic tanks. 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 273
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Annette Island Family Medical Clinic (907-886-4744).
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 (907-886-7922/886-4011).
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| 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. 39 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. Freight arrives by barge. The 14.7-mile Walden Point Road links the northern end of Annette Island and Ketchikan with a proposed hourly ferry. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
Metlakatla Indian Community
P.O. Box 8
Metlakatla, AK 99926
Phone 907-886-4441
Fax 907-886-7997
E-mail diana@metlakatla.com
Economic Development -
Metlakatla Office of Tourism
P.O. Box 450
Metlakatla, AK 99926-0450
Phone 907-886-1216
Fax 907-886-4161
E-mail lauth@metlakatla.net
Housing Authority -
Metlakatla Housing Authority
P.O. Box 59
Metlakatla, AK 99926
Phone 907-886-6500
Fax 907-886-6503
E-mail methouse@aptalaska.net
School District -
Annette Island School District
P.O. Box 7
Metlakatla, AK 99926-0007
Phone 907-886-6332
Fax 907-886-5130
E-mail gavey@aisd.k12.ak.us
Web http://www.aisd.k12.ak.us
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Health Corporation - Metlakatla Indian Community
P.O. Box 8
Metlakatla, AK 99926
Phone 907-886-4441
Fax 907-886-7997
E-mail diana@metlakatla.com
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
Native Housing Authority - Metlakatla Housing Authority
P.O. Box 59
Metlakatla, AK 99926
Phone 907-886-6500
Fax 907-886-6503
E-mail methouse@aptalaska.net
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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