Tongass Indians
Tongass Indians (Sea Lion Clan): Tlingit People of Southeast Alaska
The term Tongass Indians refers to the Sea Lion Clan (TaantʼaḴwaan) of the Southern Tlingit people, historically centered around what is now Ketchikan—on islands within Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Their name persists in the forest’s designation and reflects centuries of stewardship in this lush coastal rainforest.
Origins & Traditional Homeland
Tongass people are part of the Tlingit nation, whose presence in Southeast Alaska spans over 10,000 years. Their ancestral territory includes marine waters, salmon streams, totem poles, and cedar forests throughout the Tongass. Villages clustered near Tongass Island and southern Prince of Wales Island, sites now designated as Fort Tongass and nearby Ketchikan.
Colonial Contact & Land Challenges
In the late 19th century, the U.S. established Fort Tongass adjacent to Tongass Village. As Alaska became a U.S. territory, the Tongass National Forest was created by presidential decree—displacing native land tenure without tribal consent. In response, the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Southern Southeast Alaska tribal nations—including the Tongass Clan—pursued legal recognition of aboriginal title and compensation.
Cultural Continuity & Stewardship
The Tongass people maintain cultural traditions through totem pole carving, clan ceremonies, and oral history. They share ceremonial and cultural ties with the broader Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian nations, defending salmon fisheries, cedar harvesting, and sacred forests. Their heritage is closely tied to living traditions—and to sacred spaces within the Tongass rainforest.
Modern Engagement & Environmental Advocacy
Today, many Southeast Alaska tribes—including those rooted in the Tongass region—serve as cooperative partners in Tongass forest planning. Petitions and agreements have been made to ensure Native consultation on forest management, old-growth logging, and protection of cultural sites. Tribal nations continue to advocate for a “Traditional Homelands Conservation Rule” within the forest.
Tribal Groups Associated with the Tongass Region
- Tlingit – Sea Lion (Tongass) Clan
- Hydaburg Haida
- Tsimshian Communities in Southeast Alaska
- Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC)
- Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indians of Alaska (regional body)
- Other Southeast Alaska tribal governments within Tongass boundary