Moving to Metlakatla (Ketchikan: to rent, home, schools)

[hemenGoaz]

Hi,

There is a good chance that my family and I will be moving to Metlakatla next summer. I have looked around the forums trying to find someone posting from there without too much luck (even 'Metlakatla' doesn't live there :^P ).

My wife has been raised in rural Alaska (from age 2 to 17) and Seattle, and we also have lived in the interior together a couple of years more or less recently, so Alaska is not new to us. What is new is Metlakatla and the southeast.

We know the basics... it rains a lot, the distance to Ketchikan, that is a reservation, the size, the schools, etc.; We consider ourselves pretty adaptable, but it would be great if anyone could give us any information about how it is to live there.

For instance, in the past we have experienced rural villages in which it was pretty tough for "white" kids; and this time we are moving there with our kids (8 and 10). What is the relation between "outsiders" and the community?. Any comments about that?

Another example, a silly detail. I heard that the town is 'damp' now, alcohol-wise. I am ( and have been) a home brewer for many many years. Can this be a problem?

In general, I would appreciate any general information about how it is to live there, logistic and socially wise.

Thanks!!



PS:I also like gardening, but I have that one more or less covered by other members.

[Metlakatla]

There is no one posting here who lives in Metlakatla. I'm probably more familiar with southern Southeast than anyone here, but you seem to want to talk with someone who actually lives there at this time. Good luck with that.

[hemenGoaz]

Well... at least I got an answer from you, which seems to be the closest... Thanks! BTW, pretty soon someone will be posting from there... :^)

[stiffnecked]

As for the alcohol issue you want to do more checking. The last I heard they were still dry. I know a lot of alcohol gets taken over there but being an outsider might not be good thing. I'd call the Metlakatla Police and just get the straight answer from them.

907-886-4011 that's their phone number

[rwjoyak]

If you're on facebook you might reach out to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Metla...a/240971414952 and see what they can tell you.

[GrammasCabin]

I spent a month in Metlakatla a few years ago while my S.O. was working there. Yes, it is a Tsimshian reservation. I'm white, he is native. If I tried to get anything done by myself while he was at work, it was impossible. There was nothing at all to rent if I asked... lots of places if he asked. It would take a couple months to get a phone if I asked - a phone was hooked up immediately when he asked. It was like that everywhere I turned, I'd planed to spend the summer but one lonely month of being treated like an unwanted intruder was enough.
All I can tell you is that I hope my experience was unusual and that you have better luck, I don't think the locals liked my red hair.

[jdhpa]

Originally Posted by GrammasCabin

I spent a month in Metlakatla a few years ago while my S.O. was working there. Yes, it is a Tsimshian reservation. I'm white, he is native. If I tried to get anything done by myself while he was at work, it was impossible. There was nothing at all to rent if I asked... lots of places if he asked. It would take a couple months to get a phone if I asked - a phone was hooked up immediately when he asked. It was like that everywhere I turned, I'd planed to spend the summer but one lonely month of being treated like an unwanted intruder was enough.
All I can tell you is that I hope my experience was unusual and that you have better luck, I don't think the locals liked my red hair.

Pretty bad Sorry you had to go through that.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by GrammasCabin

I spent a month in Metlakatla a few years ago while my S.O. was working there. Yes, it is a Tsimshian reservation. I'm white, he is native. If I tried to get anything done by myself while he was at work, it was impossible. There was nothing at all to rent if I asked... lots of places if he asked. It would take a couple months to get a phone if I asked - a phone was hooked up immediately when he asked. It was like that everywhere I turned, I'd planed to spend the summer but one lonely month of being treated like an unwanted intruder was enough.
All I can tell you is that I hope my experience was unusual and that you have better luck, I don't think the locals liked my red hair.

I guess that my red-headed wife would get kicked out of there, too.

[NomadicBear]

Originally Posted by GrammasCabin

I spent a month in Metlakatla a few years ago while my S.O. was working there. Yes, it is a Tsimshian reservation. I'm white, he is native. If I tried to get anything done by myself while he was at work, it was impossible. There was nothing at all to rent if I asked... lots of places if he asked. It would take a couple months to get a phone if I asked - a phone was hooked up immediately when he asked. It was like that everywhere I turned, I'd planed to spend the summer but one lonely month of being treated like an unwanted intruder was enough.
All I can tell you is that I hope my experience was unusual and that you have better luck, I don't think the locals liked my red hair.

{Crosses Metlakatla off of places to visit list}

[MattieJensen]

Originally Posted by GrammasCabin

I spent a month in Metlakatla a few years ago while my S.O. was working there. Yes, it is a Tsimshian reservation. I'm white, he is native. If I tried to get anything done by myself while he was at work, it was impossible. There was nothing at all to rent if I asked... lots of places if he asked. It would take a couple months to get a phone if I asked - a phone was hooked up immediately when he asked. It was like that everywhere I turned, I'd planed to spend the summer but one lonely month of being treated like an unwanted intruder was enough.
All I can tell you is that I hope my experience was unusual and that you have better luck, I don't think the locals liked my red hair.

I feel your pain, or I should say my husband felt it. I am native Polynesian/Hawai'ian and my husband is Appalachian Caucasian. When we met in service, there was some prejudice on my family's side, but we married anyway. When I needed something done, my family sent in the repairmen. When my hubby asked - well you know that response.