Definition Hoonah, Alaska is a city located in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, in the U.S. state of Alaska.
Overview Hoonah is situated on Chichagof Island in the Inside Passage region of southeastern Alaska. It is the largest predominantly Tlingit community in Alaska and is incorporated as a first-class city. As of the most recent U.S. Census data, Hoonah has a population of approximately 770 residents. The city is accessible primarily by boat or airplane, with the Hoonah Seaplane Base and the Alaska Marine Highway System providing transportation links. The economy is based largely on commercial fishing, tourism, and fishing-related industries.
Etymology/Origin The name "Hoonah" is derived from the Tlingit word "Xunaa," which refers to the Xunaa Ḵwáan, a historic Tlingit group native to the area. "Ḵwáan" denotes a people of a particular place or watershed in the Tlingit language.
Characteristics Hoonah is known for its strong cultural connection to the Tlingit people, including active preservation of language, traditions, and artistic expressions such as totem pole carving and dance. The Sealaska Heritage Institute and local clan houses contribute to cultural continuity. The city is near the Inian Islands and Icy Strait, which are popular destinations for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing, particularly for humpback whales and sea lions. Hoonah also hosts the annual Celebration, a major cultural gathering of Southeast Alaska Native peoples held biennially in nearby Juneau.
Related Topics
- Tlingit people
- Chichagof Island
- Inside Passage
- Alaska Native cultures
- Sealaska Heritage Institute
- Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
- Indigenous languages of North America