Feature Copy: Tourism off the beaten track
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Rural tourism seems like an odd bit of nomenclature for Alaska. The most common vision of Alaska is that it's all rural, that the state is just one huge untracked wilderness where visitors step off the airplane and find themselves smack dab in the middle of a herd of caribou, having to fend off wolves and bears on the way to the hotel.
Reality, as usual, differs from perception. Most of the tourism in Alaska centers around the major cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau. However, rural tourism in Alaska generally implies places far removed from the major population centers, mostly in small communities not on the road system. An additional connotation is the link between rural life and Alaska Native communities and culture. These "Bush" communities have traditionally received scant notice by the majority of travelers.
In recent years, this trend has begun to change. As tourism grows ever larger in Alaska's economic picture, more and more communities are looking for ways to carve out distinctive spots in the visitor industry, and Native corporations and village organizations are leading the way. There are 13 regional Native corporations in the state that are engaged in a wide variety of business endeavors for the economic benefit of their shareholders. Several of them are expanding their economic reach to embrace the tourism industry.
At the same time, increasing numbers of visitors are indicating an interest in seeking out and, where possible, taking part in cultural experiences. Sheri Gerhard, Director of Tourism for the Northwest Arctic Native Association, agrees that "The time is right for cultural tourism, and we see that as our niche to develop."
In Southeast Alaska, Ketchikan has several local attractions that beckon those interested in coastal Native cultures. The Saxman Native Village features elaborately carved totem poles, and a chance to view Native artisans as they carve totems, canoes, and other unique representations of their traditional lifestyle. From the more recent past, you can tour the George Inlet Cannery and see how salmon were harvested en masse from the sea, and how the fishing industry has changed to meet the demands of the contemporary market place. At the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center, you can watch a salmon hatchery in operation, and see how it serves the needs of modern-day tribal members. Stop by the Eagle Center and see injured bald eagles nursed back to health and, when possible, re-released into the wild.
From Fairbanks, you can see Athabascan Indian life on the Yukon River with a fly/drive adventure to Prospect Creek, a Koyukuk Athabascan settlement. This narrated tour explains the natural and cultural history of these inhabitants of Alaska's harsh Interior. Or, journey to a Tanana River fish camp and spend time with an Athabascan family as they harvest salmon from the river, and see how the fish are processed and preserved in the smokehouse. Try some traditional Native foods in this exciting overnight experience.
For a somewhat longer time commitment, travel to Huslia for a three-day adventure, and visit with the artisans and fishermen of this remote Indian village of 260 residents. Local guides will show you the wildlife of the nearby Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge, as well as archeological sites and other fascinating aspects of life in the sub-Arctic.
For a hands-on peek into the distant past of Alaska's Natives, you can join archeologists as they unearth the remnants of a prehistoric culture on Afognak Island near Kodiak. These seven-day working vacations offer a chance to help find and preserve artifacts of the Alutiiq people, as scholars and researchers attempt to solve the mysteries of this nearly-lost civilization.
While you're in Kodiak, you can see the Kodiak Alutiiq dancers. The Alutiiq language, artwork and tribal history have been preserved and, where necessary, recreated with the help of Native elders and scholars from the Smithsonian Institution and from the Leningrad Museum in Russia. The dancers wear recreations of traditional garb made from local materials such as spruce roots, ermine furs, and sealskin.
Or visit Unalaska, home to Dutch Harbor, a busy fishing port out on the Aleutian chain of islands. Take in the island's history and the revival of Aleut culture and their traditions of dance and artworks. See the remnants of World War II and the defenses built up for the attacks by Japanese aircraft. There's also a rich Russian tradition here as evidenced by the Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Cathedral and its collection of priceless icons.
Eskimo people inhabit the farthest north reaches of the state, and you can visit the community of Barrow on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Seven hundred miles north of Anchorage, this city is as close to "The Top of the World" as you'll find in America. And while access is easy with daily jet service from Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Eskimo culture is alive and well here as evidenced by the current interest in traditional dancing, artworks, and story telling.
Another Eskimo town with easy air access is Kotzebue in northwest Alaska. Here you can visit the Museum of the Arctic, watch traditional dances, or visit a Culture Camp for a demonstration of traditional Eskimo skills. Here Native elders describe their traditional methods of gathering food, and they display the tools and artifacts they use and some of the history behind them.
For "farther out" adventures, you can visit Gambell Village on St. Lawrence Island, a mere 40 miles from Russian Siberia, or go to St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs. These destinations are about as remote as you can get in Alaska, and you can catch a glimpse of island life as seen by very few travelers.
The possibilities for seeing Alaska off the beaten path are many, and the effort you put into separating yourself from the main tourism focal points will pay off in an increased appreciation for how varied and eclectic the state is, and how the Native people have contributed to its modern day diversity and rich cultural heritage.
For further information, contact:
Ketchikan-Cape Fox Tours,
P.O. Box 6656, Ketchikan, AK 99901, 907-225-4846;
Deer Mountain Hatchery/Eagle Center, 800-252-5158 or 907-225-5158.
Fairbanks-Northern Alaska Tour Company, 907-474-8600, or e-mail adventure@alaskasarctic.com ;
Alexander's Overnight River Adventure, 907-474-3924.
Huslia-Athabasca Cultural Journey, P.O. Box 72, Huslia, AK 99746, 800-937-0899 or 907-829-2261.
Kodiak-Dig Afognak, Afognak Native Corporation,
Box 1277, Kodiak, AK 99615, 800-770-6014 or 907-486-6014
Alutiiq Dancers, 907-486-4449.
Unalaska-A.L.E.U.T. Tours, 907-581-6001 mobile phone or
907-391-1747, or e-mail akaleut@arctic.net
For the Kotzebue and Barrow tours, contact Alaska Airlines Vacations at 800-468-2248.
St. Paul, Pribilofs tour-Reeve Aleutian Airways, 800-544-2248 or e-mail pribilof@alaska.net
Gambell Village-Gray Line of Alaska, 907-277-5581 or Alaska Sightseeing, 907-276-1305.
For Alaska Visitor Information write to: Dept. 712, P.O. Box 196710, Anchorage AK 99519-6710, call (800) 862-5275 or visit the web site: http://apr.travelalaska.com.
Tom Reale is a travel and outdoors writer and guidebook author who lives and works in Anchorage.
Alaska Travel
Industry Association
2600 Cordova St. Ste. 201
Anchorage, AK 99503-2745
P. (800) 327-9372
F. (800) 276-1042
E. ATIAmedia@gci.net