We arrived in the Metlakatla Indian Community in the morning and toured the small town on buses. Metlakatla is the only native Indian reservation in Alaska, and is just north of the USA/Canadian border. Metlakatla was settled by 800 members of the Tsimshian tribe who immigrated from a town of the same name in British Columbia. They were led by a Scottish missionary. The community seemed much poorer than other small towns we visited in Alaska, but the residents seemed happy and were anxious to share their culture with us. We were entertained with music and dancing by a native dance troupe, and enjoyed browsing the small shops for jewelry and native artworks. Metlakatla had many totem poles, each of which told a different story or celebrated a family.
We sailed from Metlakatla to the Misty Fjords National Monument. Only small ships like those operated by Cruise West can enter the Misty Fjords, but passengers on large ships can take a float plane or small boat excursion from Ketchikan. Two kayak rangers who were living in the park joined our ship and provided narration, history, and stories of their exploration of the area. Most of us stood outside on the forecastle deck, soaking up the scenery of our last full day in Alaska. We sailed by Eddystone Rock before turning right and moving slowly into Rudyerd Bay. The Misty Fjords are too far south for glaciers, but the granite cliff remnants left by the retreating glaciers are impressive. The kayak rangers stayed onboard through dinner, and as they kayaked away into the darkness back to their floating cabin just off the Behm Canal, I couldn't help but think we would also be leaving the ship the next day in Ketchikan.
Author's Note: Although Cruise West is no longer operating, other small ships that cruise Alaska's Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska offer similar itineraries and cruise experiences.
