Today we visit Klawock, which is beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has a population of around 700 and is known for its array of totem poles.
A center for Łingít culture, the island’s original name was “Taan,” meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park you’ll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.
Your guided tour begins along the Klawock River Trail, where rainforest and history flow side by side. At the carving shed, watch master artists and apprentices shape cedar into towering totems, carrying on a living tradition. Finally, stand at Totem Park, the largest authentic collection in Alaska, where 21 poles rise from hill to sea, each telling a story of culture, community, and Łingít identity.