News Release
Chilkoot Indian Association
The Chilkoot Indian Association acquired the Fort William H. Seward Parade Grounds from Alaska Indian Arts on December 20, 2022. With the transfer of ownership, the Chilkoot people have regained control of part of the land that they provided to Presbyterian missionaries at the end of the 19th century in order that a school be built for local children. The Mission ceded some of that land to the US military to build a fort. When the fort was closed, rather than revert to the Native population, it was sold to military families, whose descendants still own much of the Fort.
The Chilkoot Indian Association would like to thank Alaska Indian Arts for working with them to make this transition happen.
The tribe’s first priority is to rebuild the historic Noow Hit Tribal House in the center of the Fort William H. Seward parade grounds. It’s traditional post and beam construction was guided by Tlingit elders who had lived in traditional tribal houses in the late 19th century. These elders were also founding members of the ANB/ANS and important in the Alaska Civil Rights Movement which resulted in the first Civil Rights Law in the Nation and the birth of labor unions. The sculptures inside and outside the house were made by famous Southeast Alaska carvers including Nathan Jackson, Leo Jacobs, Jeff David, Sr., John Hagen, Sr., and Bill Holm. Please enjoy watching the progress on the Noow Hit restoration in the next few years.
There are no plans to alter the parade grounds, which are part of the Fort William H. Seward National Historic District.
