Angoon, Alaska History, Culture and
Demographics
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Admiralty Island has long been the home of the Kootznoowoo
Tlingit tribe. Kootznoowoo means "fortress of bears." From
the 1700s to the mid-1800s, fur trading was the major
money-making activity in the area. In 1878, the Northwest
Trading Company established a trading post and whaling
station on nearby Killisnoo Island and villagers were
employed to hunt whales. Whaling, a BIA school and a
Russian Orthodox Church attracted many Tlingits to Killisnoo.
In 1882, a whaling vessel's harpoon charge accidentally
misfired and exploded, killing a Native crewmember -
a Tlingit shaman, or medicine man. Villagers demanded
payment of 200 blankets to the man's family, as was customary.
The Northwest Trading Co. felt threatened and sought
assistance from the U.S. Navy at Sitka. The village and
a summer camp were subsequently shelled and destroyed
by the Navy Cutter U.S.S. Corwin. Native accounts of
the attack claim six children died by smoke inhalation.
In 1973, Angoon won a $90,000 out-of-court settlement
from the Federal government for the 1882 bombardment.
Whaling did not last long, and the company switched to
herring processing. During this time, many Tlingits moved
to Killisnoo for employment at the plant. In 1928, Killisnoo
was destroyed by fire, and many Tlingits returned to
Angoon. The Angoon post office was established in 1928.
A city was formed in 1963. Many summer homes have developed
on Killisnoo Island.
A federally recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Angoon
Community Association. 86.4% of the population are Alaska Native or part
Native. Angoon is a Tlingit village with a commercial fishing and subsistence
lifestyle. Possession of alcohol is banned in the community.
During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 221 total
housing units, and 37 were vacant. 25 of these vacant
housing units are used only seasonally. 197 residents
were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
12.95%, although 50% of all adults were not in the
work force. The median household income was $29,861,
per capita income was $11,357, and 27.92% of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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Angoon, Alaska Facilities, Utilities,
Schools and Health Care |
The Tillinghast Lake reservoir provides water, which
is treated and piped throughout the community. Funds have
been provided to develop a water source at Favorite Bay
Creek. The community would like to develop 3 miles of
waterline to the new Tillinghast Lake Water Treatment
Plant. Angoon has had a piped system since 1977, and over
95% of homes have complete plumbing. Piped sewage is processed
at a secondary treatment plant which flows to an ocean
outfall. A new 500,000-gallon water tank has been constructed
at the plant. The City collects refuse and hauls it to
the landfill, located approximately two miles from Angoon.
The Tlingit-Haida Regional Electric Authority, a non-profit
subdivision of the State, operates three diesel-fueled
generators in Angoon.
Electricity is provided by Tlingit-Haida Regional Electrical
Authority.
There is one school located in the community, attended
by 125 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Angoon Health
Clinic. Auxiliary health care is provided by Angoon EMS/Ambulance
(Clinic 788-3411). |
Angoon, Alaska Economy and Transportation |
Commercial fishing is a major source of income; 56 residents
hold commercial fishing permits, primarily hand-trolling
for king and coho salmon. Low salmon prices have affected
incomes. A shellfish farm was recently funded by state and
federal grants. The Chatham School District is the primary
employer. Logging on Prince of Wales Island provide occasional
jobs. Subsistence remains an important part of the lifestyle.
Local resources include deer, salmon, bear, halibut, shellfish,
geese, seaweed and berries.
Angoon is accessible only by float plane or boat. Scheduled
and charter float plane services are available from the
State-owned seaplane base on Kootznahoo Inlet. Angoon's
facilities also include a deep draft dock, a small boat
harbor with 45 berths, and State ferry terminal. Freight
arrives by barge and ferry. |
Angoon, Alaska Organizations with
Local Offices |
City - City of Angoon, P.O. Box 189, Angoon, AK 99820,
Phone 907-788-3653, Fax 907-788-3821, E-mail: mayor820@eagle.ptialaska.net
School District - Chatham Schools, P.O. Box 109, Angoon,
AK 99820, Phone 907-788-3302, Fax 907-788-3252, E-mail:
cnewman@do.chathamsd.org,
Web: http://www.chathamsd.org/
Village Corporation - Kootznoowoo, Incorporated, 8585 Old
Dairy Road #201, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone 907-790-2992, Fax
907-790-2995
Village Council - Angoon Community Association, P.O. Box
188, Angoon, AK 99820, Phone 907-788-3411, Fax 907-788-3412
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Angoon, Alaska Regional Organizations
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School District - Chatham Schools, P.O. Box 109, Angoon,
AK 99820, Phone 907-788-3302, Fax 907-788-3252, E-mail:
cnewman@do.chathamsd.org,
Web: http://www.chathamsd.org/
Regional Native Corporation - Sealaska Corporation, One
Sealaska Plaza #400, Juneau, AK 99801, Phone 907-586-1512,
Fax 907-586-1826, E-mail: ross.soboleff@sealaska.com,
Web: http://www.sealaska.com/
Native Housing Authority - Tlingit-Haida Reg Housing Authority,
P.O. Box 32237, Juneau, AK 99803, Phone 907-780-6868, Fax
907-780-6895, E-mail: thrha@ptialaska.net
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: webmaster@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, AK 99802, Phone 907-463-3445 x23, Fax 907-463-4425,
E-mail: Loren_Gerhard@seconference.org,
Web: http://www.seconference.org |
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