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s the aroma of a cedar fire wafts through the air, native dancers leap and twirl on stage to a pulsing drum beat, their red robes and beaded vests fluttering as they perform a traditional Tlingit dance. In Sitka, some traditions have existed for thousands of years. Distinct influences of Sitka’s indigenous people, Russian colonists, and Finnish settlers create a unique local character. Within just a half-mile walk you’ll find a Tlingit community house, rare Russian architecture, and a Lutheran church founded in 1840 by Finnish immigrants which was the first Protestant church on the Pacific coast. Massive totemic panels stand watch outside the Sheet’ka Kwaán Naa Kahídi, a theater built in the style of a community clan house. Inside, the stage backdrop is fashioned from giant cedar panels that have been adorned with hand-carved totemic designs and painted in traditional colors. A central fire pit and tiered seating creates an unforgettable setting for the Naa Kahídi Dancers, who offer stirring performances of ancient songs and dances of the Tlingit people.
St. Michael’s Cathedral and Naa Kahidi Dancers - Clark Mishler
Explore the state’s largest collection of Alaska Native artifacts at the Sheldon Jackson Museum where native artisans demonstrate age-old crafts while visitors gaze upon more than 5,000 pieces contained in the collection. Step back in time with a visit to the Russian Bishop’s House, one of the only remaining examples of Russian log architecture in the Western Hemisphere. Located in central downtown, the building was completed in 1842 and served as the seat of the Russian Orthodox Diocese which spanned from California to Siberian Kamchatka. Today, the historic site looks much like it did at its commencement and is adorned with period furniture and ornate iconography. Nearby, the prominent onion-shaped domes of St. Michael’s Cathedral mark the Sitka skyline as they have for nearly two centuries. Those who venture inside the active Russian Orthodox church will discover a remarkable collection of religious art, with pieces believed to date back to the 17th century.
New Archangel Dancers - William Greer
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Energetic new life is breathed into Sitka’s Russian history by the New Archangel Dancers. This all-female troupe provides remarkable entertainment through a variety of dance renditions that represent the cultures of Russia and surrounding areas.
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