Organized Village of Kasaan
Organized Village of Kasaan
Kasa'aan (Haida) | |
|---|---|
 Dzila'qons mask from the Village of Kasaan, Peabody Essex Museum | |
  Organized Village of Kasaan Organized Village of Kasaan | |
| Coordinates: 55°32′12″N 132°23′47″W / 55.53667°N 132.39639°W | |
| Constitution Ratified | October 15, 1938 |
| Capital | Kasaan, Alaska |
| Government | |
| • Type | Representative democracy |
| • Body | Kasaan Tribal Council |
| • President | Michael Jones |
| Demonym | Kaigani Haida |
| Time zone | UTC–09:00 (AKST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC–08:00 (AKDT) |
| Website | kasaan |
The Organized Village of Kasaan is a federally recognized Alaska Native tribe of Haida people.[2] This Alaska Native tribe is headquartered in Kasaan, Alaska Tlingit: Gasa'aan.[3]
They are known as the Kaigani Haida.[2] Kasaan Health Center provides healthcare to the tribe.[3]
Government
The Organized Village of Kasaan is led by a democratically elected tribal council.[4] Its president is Michael Jones.[5] The Alaska Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs serves the tribe.[5] They ratified its constitution and corporate charter in 1938.[4]
The tribe is a member of the National Congress of American Indians.[6]
Territory
Previously, the Kaigani Haida lived in a former village, Tlingit: Gasa'aan (meaning "pretty town) or "Old Kasaan". In the 18th century, they migrated to Kasaan, or "New Kasaan", which became the northernmost Haida settlement.[7][3]
Kasaan is on the eastern coast of Prince of Wales Island that is part of the Alexander Archipelago.[1] Kasaan is 30 miles northwest of Ketchikan,[7] but not connected by highway, so travel off the island is airplane or boat.[2]
Three other tribes are located on Prince of Wales Island: Craig Tribal Association, Hydaburg Cooperative Association, and Klawock Cooperative Association.[1]
Economy
Cultural tourism and timber are important to the tribe's livelihood.[1] Alaska Dream Cruises lands at Kasaan.[7] The Organized Village of Kasaan is affiliated with Sealaska Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation,[2] and Kavilco Inc., an ANCSA Village Corporation.[3]
Language and culture
The Organized Village of Kasaan speaks English and the Haida language.[3] The community has a Totem Park and the Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House (Haida: Náay I'waans), built in the late 19th century by Saanixaat, a Haida nobleman. The house has been restored and is open to visitors.[7] The tide has a woodcarving workshop open to the public.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Organized Village of Kasaan". Tribal Transportation. US Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Organized Village of Kasaan". Alaska Handbook. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Kasa'aan (Kasaan)". MySealaska. Sealaska. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Organized Village of Kasaan". National Indian Law Library. Native American Rights Fund. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Tribal Leaders Directory". Bureau of Indian Affairs. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "Tribal Directory". National Congress of American Indians. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Organized Village of Kasaan Information". Native.Travel. American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. Retrieved 16 January 2026.