Prince of Wales

[Metlakatla]

Hydaburg's a tough place. Not to put anyone down, but there is a lot of inbreeding there. Sometimes the community will accept you and sometimes not, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to that. I know some very nice people from there--but the community's bad rep is well enough deserved, I think. It's best to leave them to themselves; that's how they want it anyway.

[Siouxcia]

I've been reading these posts and have to say I'm leaning toward not going to Hydaburg. I'm not going there with the intention of staying more than six to twelve months. My boys are adults and won't be coming with me. I just want to go experience a different culture and provide a needed service. I was on the Navajo Nation for almost a year and loved it. Same types of issues as everywhere else the economy is depressed. BUT I was made to feel welcome and made life long friends there.

Anyone have any info on Yakutat? Thanks for all your input.

[Captain Crunch]

Originally Posted by Rance

I never could find it. Can't even do a decent search on that site.
So Hydaburg residents do not care for non-native teachers or medical personnel?

Thats exactly right...there is no place that I know of in Alaska that the native people are like this...no clue why

Totally trashed all the government housing that was built for them

Totally trashed the salmon processing plant that was built for them...no longer usable for several years now

The place and the people suck, big time

I don't think a non-native is even safe there.

[Captain Crunch]

Originally Posted by Siouxcia

I've been reading these posts and have to say I'm leaning toward not going to Hydaburg. I'm not going there with the intention of staying more than six to twelve months. My boys are adults and won't be coming with me. I just want to go experience a different culture and provide a needed service. I was on the Navajo Nation for almost a year and loved it. Same types of issues as everywhere else the economy is depressed. BUT I was made to feel welcome and made life long friends there.

Anyone have any info on Yakutat? Thanks for all your input.

Yakutat is just the opposite of Hydaburg but very small also....forget Hydaburg

I suggest if you want to experience the culture you try to spend time in either Haines, Saxmon or even Hoonah

[Siouxcia]

Yakutat is just the opposite of Hydaburg...

You say this in a good way, right? I'll check out the other towns you mentioned. They may not need my services but doesn't hurt to look. Thanks again for the input, I appreciate it.

[Metlakatla]

I wish I could explain Hydaburg better but it's difficult. My uncle married a woman from there and had two beautiful children, but she always held herself and her children away from our side of the family. My cousins live in Juneau now as far as I know and I wouldn't recognize either one of them if I passed them on the street.

I've been there for the Native dancing at the high school a time or two and everyone was very gracious. But I've also felt afraid for my safety in broad daylight, and that was in the store and not because I had put myself in any sort of compromising position. Those are just personal observations of course but there ones that are shared with a good majority of the other residents of POW.

Check out Metlakatla as well as the communities that the Captain mentioned. But yeah, spare yourself Hydaburg.

[Siouxcia]

I appreciate all the insight into Hydaburg. I think I'm going to turn down the offer. It was only for six months but that's a long time to be uncomfortable in your environment.

[Homesteader]

My wife and I are teachers who work internationally. We would like to rent a house or camp for the summer while exploring the POW area with an eye towards buying 2-5 acres, salt water frontage not a requirement. We are looking in the Petersburg area as well.

In the past I've guided in Bristol Bay, run a lodge up near Unalakleet and been owner/operator of a fishing lodge in Labrador, Canada. This is to say I'm no stranger to the bush, but am a stranger to southeast Alaska. Also built an off-grid solar powered cedar log home in Maine.

Any words of advice or leads on land would be most appreciated.