“A Night of Song, Dance, and Ancestral Pride in Metlakatla”
Notes from Alex – July 16, 2025

I wanted to take a moment to share something deeply personal and powerful that I experienced yesterday here in my hometown, Metlakatla.

NOTE: This is the song(s) sang last night, but the recording is from a few years ago I love love love this song series:

A local dance group performed at the Longhouse—an evening of dance and song offered in honor of the guests who are visiting and helping our community. What struck me most wasn’t just the performance, but the spirit behind it. The conviction in the voices, the rhythm of the drums, the movement of the dancers—it brought tears to my eyes.

As I sat there watching, I felt something I can only describe as sacred. The songs carried a weight, a history. In that moment, I imagined our ancestors standing with us, watching with pride. It was more than a performance—it was a living memory. A connection between past and present, carried in each step and every note.

To the dance group who performed last night: thank you. Your passion and dedication to keeping our traditions alive stirred something deep in me. And to others in our community who do the same—your work matters. It uplifts us. It reminds us of who we are and where we come from.

I’m so proud to see our people embracing our culture—our songs, our stories, our history. These traditions aren’t relics. They are alive—and they are powerful.

Amazing things are happening here in Metlakatla. I’m grateful to witness them.

—Alex