Native Indian Dancers in Metlakatla

The Tsimshian in Alaska were refugees from religious and racial persecution in Canada during the 1880s. Led by the Anglican lay missionary William Duncan, a group of Tsimshian requested settlement on Annette Island from the U.S. government. There Duncan and 823 Tsimshian followers established the village of Metlakatla. The island was founded as a reservation for the Tsimshian people and is the only Indian reservation in Alaska.

The rhythm of the drums call the four major clans of the Tsimshian Nation and their neighbors to come, dance and share a happy moment.

    

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