Culture & Heritage
Long before the gold rush of the late 1800s, Juneau was home to the Tlingit (thling-get), the indigenous people of the area. The region’s gold deposits may have gone undiscovered if early explorers had not observed the Tlingit people using gold for a variety of everyday uses. Joe Juneau and Richard Harris, Juneau’s modern day founders, were guided by the Tlingit to the gold vein that launched Juneau’s development. The region’s Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian (sim-shee-an) people share common art forms, ceremonies and legends - all of which have been shaped by the land and sea. Descendents of the Tlingit and others from this region are active in the social and political fabric of Juneau. Native arts and culture can be experienced in a variety of ways.
Historic totem poles are situated in various locations, both indoor and outdoor, throughout the community. The Alaska State Museum houses excellent exhibits about Alaska’s Native cultures. There are numerous art galleries and gift shops that feature carved masks, silver, gold and copper jewelry, woven baskets and other original works of art and hand-made crafts. The Mt. Roberts tramway cultural center offers artists-at-work demonstrations, authentic Native arts and crafts and an award-winning movie presentation.
