A Personal Reflection on Heritage, Home, and the Enduring Spirit of Our Community

Every community has a story. Ours began with courage—and continues with every generation that calls Metlakatla home.

There are only a handful of days each year when you can feel the heartbeat of an entire community. For me, Founders Day is one of those days.

Every August 7th, something special happens in Metlakatla. Families return home. Friends who haven’t seen one another in years embrace like no time has passed. Children laugh in the streets, Elders share stories from years gone by, and for a little while, life slows down just enough for us to remember what truly matters.

Founders Day isn’t simply a celebration.

It’s a homecoming.

It’s a reminder that we belong to something much bigger than ourselves.

More than a century ago, in 1887, nearly 800 Tsimshian people crossed dangerous waters from Old Metlakatla in British Columbia to Annette Island. They weren’t simply relocating—they were building a future. They came seeking a place where they could shape their own community, protect their families, and preserve the values they believed in.

That journey required incredible courage.

Today, every one of us who calls Metlakatla home benefits from the sacrifices they made.

When I watch the parade roll through town, I don’t just see colorful floats and smiling children.

I see generations.

I see grandparents watching grandchildren wave from decorated trailers.

I see families reunited after months apart.

I see visitors discovering our community for the very first time.

Most of all, I see pride.

There’s something comforting about hearing the laughter echo through town, smelling smoked salmon and fry bread drifting through the air, and watching everyone gather together. It’s a feeling that’s difficult to describe unless you’ve experienced it yourself.

It’s the feeling of coming home.

One of the things that gives me the most hope is watching our culture continue to grow stronger.

For many years, much of our language and many of our traditions were pushed aside. Today, we’re seeing something beautiful happen. Young people are learning Sm’algya̱x. Traditional dances are once again filling community halls. Native art continues to flourish, and our stories are being shared with a new generation that wants to know where they come from.

Culture isn’t something we put on display once a year.

It’s something we live.

Every dance, every song, every carving, every story shared by an Elder becomes another thread connecting us to those who came before us.

As someone who has spent years researching the history of Metlakatla and working to preserve that history, Founders Day reminds me why preservation matters.

Historic photographs matter.

Recorded oral histories matter.

Old buildings matter.

Our language matters.

Because without them, future generations lose pieces of the story that shaped who they are.

That’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about the work being done through the Metlakatla Heritage Foundation. Preserving our history isn’t about living in the past—it’s about making sure the future never forgets where it came from.

Founders Day also reminds us that Metlakatla is unlike any other community in Alaska.

We remain the only federally recognized Native reservation in the state, with a unique history and a unique responsibility. As more people discover our community and visit our island, we have an opportunity to share our culture with others while remaining true to ourselves.

We can welcome visitors without losing our identity.

We can embrace the future without forgetting the past.

As the celebrations wind down and another Founders Day comes to a close, I hope each of us takes a quiet moment to reflect on what this day really means.

Think about the ancestors who made that incredible journey.

Think about the Elders who kept our traditions alive.

Think about the children running through the streets today—they are the next chapter of our story.

History isn’t confined to museums or old photographs.

History is still being written.

Every generation adds another page.

Every family contributes another story.

Every Founders Day reminds us that we’re part of something enduring.

To everyone returning home this year, welcome back.

To everyone celebrating with us for the first time, we’re glad you’re here.

And to the generations who made all of this possible—

Thank you.

Because of your courage, we still have a place to call home.

— Alex

“The greatest legacy we can leave isn’t measured in buildings or monuments. It’s measured in the stories we preserve, the traditions we pass on, and the love we have for the place we proudly call home.”