Metlakatla Indian Community Maxłakxaała (Tsimshian) | |
|---|---|
 Postcard of Metlakatla | |
  Metlakatla Indian Community Metlakatla Indian Community | |
| Coordinates:55°07′34″N131°34′24″W / 55.12611°N 131.57333°W /55.12611; -131.57333 | |
| Constitution Ratified | August 23, 1944; 81 years ago (1944-08-23) |
| Capital | Metlakatla, Alaska |
| Government | |
| • Type | Representative democracy |
| • Body | Metlakatla Tribal Council |
| • Mayor | Albert G. Smith |
| Population (2022) | |
• Estimate | 2,476 |
| Demonym | Tsimshian |
| Time zone | UTC–09:00 (AKST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC–08:00 (AKDT) |
| Website | metlakatla |
TheMetlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island Reserve is afederally recognized Alaska Native tribe ofTsimshian people.[1] ThisAlaska Native tribe is headquartered inMetlakatla, Alaska (Tsimshian:Maxłakxaała,[2] which means "saltwater passage").[3] Their landbase, theAnnette Island Reserve is the onlyIndian reservation inAlaska.[4]
The Metlakatla Indian Community is led by a democratically elected tribal council.[1] Its mayor is Albert G. Smith.[5] The Metlakatla Agency of theBureau of Indian Affairs serves the tribe.[5] The tribe ratified its constitution and corporate charter in 1944 and amended it in 1949.[1]
The tribe migrated from "Old Metlakatla" in British Columbia with missionaryWilliam Duncan in 1891, and settled in Metlakatla, Alaska, or "New Metlakatla".[2] They became a Tsimshian tribe in the United States.
The Annette Island Reserve is 86,000-acre reservation onAnnette Island.[3] The land and surrounding waters are under control of the tribe, not the state.[3] TheAlaska Marine Highway, a state ferry service, provides daily service off the island.[3] The reservation is also accessible by plane but not by roads.[6]
The Metlakatla WIC Clinic provided healthcare on the reservation.[2]
The reservation surrounded by theTongass National Forest and part of thePrince of Wales-Hyder Census Area.[4]
Metlakatla is 8 nautical miles away from Ketchikan but not connected by highway, so travel off the island is airplane or boat.[6]
Fishing, harvesting seaweed, and hunting are important to the tribe's livelihood.[3] The Metlakatla Indian Community is affiliated withSealaska Corporation, anAlaska Native corporation.[2]
The Metlakatla Indian Community speaks English and theTsimshian language.[2]