Being a tourist in Sitka, Alaska Tuesday & Wednesday 07.02 & 07.03.2013

After working we decided to make the time to take in some of the tourist attractions in downtown Sitka while we are here over the next week.

We decided to get a list of all the things that are available to see & get a local walking map of the area.  So first we went to the Chamber of Commerce and then the city’s Visitor Bureau.   Everyone gave us their suggestions of “must sees” and a restaurant guide of “must eats”.

Starting with the Harrigan Centennial Hall which is a public auditorium that holds concerts, dances, and houses the Sitka Historical Society Museum.  This is also where the New Archangel Dancers perform.  The Centennial Hall shares the parking lot with the public library. 

 

The Sitka Historical Society Museum showcases the history where the Russians took over the land from the Tlingit Natives and then the sale of Alaska to America.  It also talked about the cycle of economies over time for this area.  From trading in otter pelts, to timber/logging, to fishing.  And a little about prominent politicians family life.

 

We started by walking up to the highest point in downtown Sitka to a place called “Castle Hill” which is the early stronghold of the Tlingits’ Kiksadi clan and later a succession of Russian buildings were erected on this site – though there are currently no buildings on this site today mostly due to various fires over the years.  This is also the site of the Alaska transfer from Russia to the United States on 10/18/1867.  At the top of the hill there is a wonderful view of the city and surrounding area.  I can’t wait for it to be sunny with no low lying cloud cover.  Then we’ll have to walk up here again & get an updated view – I sure it will be stunning.  We’ve seen what the view should look like in various postcards for sale.

 

In looking at the schedule we decided to start with the New Archangel Dancers at the Centennial Hall.  This is authentic Russian dances performed by local women in authentic costumes.  Each of the dances told a story of everyday life.  You could see that the dancers were all having a good time. 

It's funny that none of the women dancers are Russian and there are no men dancers in this group - apparently when the group was started the men of that time did not want to dance (they would rather be fishing!).  Now that the dancing has become so well known, the men that ask to dance with the ladies are turned down! 

We absolutely enjoyed the show.   

 

 

 

And then, we were off to have a tour of the Cathedral of St. Michael The Archangel.  This was the oldest religious structure from the Russian era in Alaska until the original cathedral burned in a fire in 1966.  Most of the icons & religious objects were salvaged from the fire by the locals forming a human chain and handing out each icon one at a time until they saved almost every one.  The icons & religious objects are now in the rebuilt structure today.  The new cathedral was built from the original plans dated back in 1835 when the first Orthodox Bishop of Alaska, Bishop Innocent, shaped the original plans.  This cathedral is located in the heart of downtown Sitka and holds an impressive collection of Russian art & church treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

And we still had time to see the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Dancers.  These Alaskan Natives perform in full Native regalia in the Tribal Community House.  The Community House is built in the style of a Tlingit clan house and has the largest hand-carved house screen in the Pacific NW.  It was wonderful to see the clan members passing along the dancing heritage to the next generation. 

 

The costumes were absolutely beautiful.  We had the opportunity to get a close look at the ceremonial costumes and found them to be made by hand-stitched tiny beading.  And the capes were stunning!

 

 

 

I was most impressed with the Raven dancer.  This was a young man who depicted the movements of the raven perfectly and even got the sounds that the raven’s make correct.  The costume he wore fit the raven role perfectly – bold black with splashes of color and a large beaked mask.

 

 

 

On the way back to the boat we stopped at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall which was built in 1914 and serves as an Alaska Native community center. 

 

The Brotherhood was formed in order to secure equal rights for the Alaska Natives from the various tribes.  Each individual tribe was unable to secure their independence but banded together as a “Brotherhood” they accomplished their ultimate goal of winning citizenship for the Alaskan Natives in 1914.  The walls of the hall were covered with pictures and Native American artifacts which gave another look into the past.  The natives that were at the hall were very nice and explained the tribes point of view on various historical events and their endeavors to keep the tribes banded to insure their combined tribal needs are met in the present day.

While walking back to the boat we got a call from Ron & Lynn on Contessa just as they were heading into the harbor.  You may remember they stopped for a few days in Haines to visit with some friends of theirs from Nanaimo.  Once they got their slip assignment we were able to help them tie up and make plans for the evening.