--- title: "Cruise ships dominate Juneau's Marine Way from April to October, casting a shadow over downtown" url: https://newscentral.site/cruise-ships-dominate-juneau-s-marine-way-from-april-to-october/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Travel" published: 2026-11-02T20:20:02.000Z updated: 2026-11-04T13:50:15.505Z id: 90d5f95d-6577-444f-a3a0-a89059099277 source: "Conde Nast Traveler https://www.cntraveler.com/story/cruising-to-alaska-check-if-your-next-port-bus-or-lodge-is-indigenous-owned" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/cruise-ships-dominate-juneau-s-marine-way-from-april-to-october/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Cruise ships dominate Juneau's Marine Way from April to October, casting a shadow over downtown The Sealaska Heritage Institute has led a city-wide project since 2023 to reclaim Indigenous peoples' place in Juneau's tourism economy. Cruise ships dominate Juneau's Marine Way from April to October, casting a shadow over downtown. A coastal path connects the port zone to the city center, where tourists often pause between ship and souvenir store. Amidst this bustling scene, a striking cedar pole catches the eye - Kaagwaantaan Kootéeyaa, a tall, intricately carved totem pole. The pole's base features a panel that explains its significance: it depicts five crests of the Kaagwaantaan Tlingit clan - a hat, person, orca, eagle, and bear. This introduction to Juneau's human history is long overdue, given the city's rich cultural heritage. The site marks the beginning of Kootéeyaa Deiyí, a trail that showcases the cultures of the Tlingit people who have inhabited the area for at least 10,000 years. The Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) has led this city-wide project since 2023, representing not just the Tlingit but also their Haida and Tsimshian counterparts. The institute's work aims to reclaim a place in the tourism economy for Indigenous peoples, who have been marginalized by Alaska's cruise industry for too long. This shift goes beyond mere cultural incorporation; it seeks to redefine how visitors experience Juneau. As tourists walk along Marine Way, they are surrounded by the sights and sounds of Juneau's past and present. The totem poles that line this highly trafficked shoreline stand as testaments to the city's complex history. Visitors can explore Kootéeyaa Deiyí and learn about the cultures that have shaped this place for thousands of years. As I traveled through Alaska, it became clear that Native corporations are taking a more active role in shaping the tourism industry. They're not just opening up their lands to visitors; they're also owning and operating key infrastructure such as cruise docks and terminals. From whale watching at coastal ports to bear and moose spotting at lodges deep in the Interior, I saw firsthand how Alaska Native corporations are influencing the visitor experience. Their ownership is having a significant impact on how destinations develop and grow. Alaska Native corporations were created under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act as for-profit companies run by and for Alaska Native shareholders. This unique model allows them to make decisions about their lands and resources, including tourism development. One notable example of this trend is Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, developed by Huna Totem, a Tlingit village corporation representing shareholders with ties to Hoonah and Glacier Bay. The destination has become a model for Alaska Native-owned tourism, creating local jobs and keeping economic benefits within the community. The vast expanse of Icy Strait Point is carefully designed to distribute visitor flow and prevent overcrowding. Two cruise ship piers are situated about a half-mile apart, allowing for efficient docking and departure procedures. The site also features activity areas for 30 different excursions, which cater to diverse interests and preferences. To navigate the sprawling complex, visitors can utilize forested walking trails or two gondola systems. One of these gondolas offers a scenic ride to the summit of Hoonah Mountain, from where thrill-seekers can experience an exhilarating descent via the ZipRider, a six-cable zipline. This adrenaline-pumping activity provides an unforgettable experience for adventure enthusiasts. The museum exhibits located within a historic 1912 salmon cannery offer a poignant connection between tourism's present and its economic past. The cannery, once a symbol of loss due to the decline of the fishing industry, has been repurposed as a hub for new economic opportunities. Its transformation is a testament to the community-driven model that has revitalized this former industrial site. The local employment generated by Icy Strait Point's tourism operations is substantial, with around 350 people hired for the season alone. This not only injects much-needed income into the community but also enables residents to establish their own businesses, such as boat tours to nearby attractions like Point Adolphus. Huna Totem has been expanding its reach beyond Southeast Alaska in recent years, driven by a desire to increase economic opportunities for local communities and promote Indigenous culture. In Whittier, the corporation opened Glacier Gateway cruise terminal in 2024 as part of this effort. This move is significant not only because it brings more Native-owned businesses into the tourism industry but also because it creates jobs and injects revenue into the local economy. By developing its own infrastructure, Huna Totem can provide a unique experience for visitors while also benefiting the community. Huna Totem's expansion plans are taking shape in various locations across Alaska, with a focus on creating a network of Native-owned tourism businesses that cater to different types of travelers. The corporation has partnered with other Indigenous groups, such as Doyon, Limited, and Klawock Heenya, to develop cruise ports and tour operations that showcase local culture and community values. In Juneau's downtown area, Huna Totem is currently developing Áak’w Landing, a cruise dock and waterfront project that promises to enhance the visitor experience while also promoting Alaska Native culture. With its first full season expected in 2028, this development has the potential to become a model for responsible tourism practices in the region. In Alaska's Denali National Park, Doyon has been operating Kantishna Roadhouse, the park's only Indigenous-owned lodge, for 30 years. This remote lodge is accessible only by small plane, as road access was closed due to a landslide and is expected to reopen in 2027. The lodge offers guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in Alaska Native culture through presentations and workshops, such as learning about Dene beadwork and regalia. Guests can also enjoy backcountry hiking without cell service, taking in the breathtaking views of Denali, and spot wildlife like grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. Doyon has been working with Aramark since 2004 to operate bus tours, transit services, and campgrounds within the park. This partnership is now being expanded through a collaboration with Huna Totem, which aims to diversify and grow Alaska Native tourism in the region. The shift in cruise passengers' expectations towards more authentic experiences has created an opportunity for Doyon to showcase its unique cultural offerings. By putting shareholders to work and sharing their culture, Doyon is able to provide visitors with a truly immersive experience that sets it apart from other businesses in the area. The restoration of the 1925 Chatanika Gold Camp near Fairbanks is underway, with plans to open in 2027 as a northern lights experience center. This new development aims to fill a critical infrastructure gap for aurora viewing in Alaska. Currently, watching the northern lights often involves pulling off the side of the road and enjoying a hot chocolate, according to Sanford. However, this project represents another step towards creating an interconnected network of Native-owned businesses across the state. The ultimate goal is to establish a corridor of Alaska Native-owned businesses that travelers can visit throughout their journey, including ports, buses, excursions, and lodges. This would not only provide more opportunities for tourists to engage with Indigenous culture but also ensure that local communities benefit from the tourism industry. --- Source: [Conde Nast Traveler](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/cruising-to-alaska-check-if-your-next-port-bus-or-lodge-is-indigenous-owned) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/cruise-ships-dominate-juneau-s-marine-way-from-april-to-october/