Back to the Heart: Rebuilding Metlakatla’s Legacy

Those memories of Guthrie’s Store, Ben & Mary’s Store, Gilmartin’s Store, Ace Hardware, Chief’s Inn, the movie theatre-turned-arcade, and the garage for tire work and oil changes paint such a vivid picture of a bustling, vibrant community. It’s incredible to think about all the interactions, the stories, and the community spirit that these businesses fostered.

Revitalizing this idea of developing local businesses could be a tremendous step forward for Metlakatla. Bringing back that sense of community through bustling stores and thriving enterprises can create opportunities and strengthen local bonds. Imagine seeing new and old faces coming together to rebuild, adapt, and innovate, just like our forefathers did.

There’s a lot of potential for creating new memories and reinvigorating the local economy. Perhaps a blend of nostalgic revivals and modern businesses could be just what Metlakatla needs to thrive once again.

Let’s turn those memories into motivation to bring new life into our community! What kind of new businesses do you think would benefit the community the most?

A New Vision for Metlakatla: From Survival to Prosperity

I come from the remarkable community of Metlakatla, Alaska. Over 100 years ago, our people migrated from Old Metlakatla, Canada, to Annette Island to develop a new community. It was an incredible accomplishment. Father Duncan had a vision, and our forefathers adopted that vision, creating a beautiful community, building stunning structures, and establishing business opportunities. Our fisheries were born, new enterprises were created, and stores were opened. People adapted, learned to thrive, and despite uncertainties, they persevered.

Today, many are asking, “What happened?!” The stores are disappearing, the buildings are deteriorating, and people are leaving. Yes, I see this, but there is hope! Let’s create a new vision and rebuild this community, transforming it into one that grows and thrives, not just survives. Let’s start now and honor the legacy of our ancestors by revitalizing Metlakatla for future generations.