Tlákw.aan (Eternal Village)

The original village of the Chilkat people, the largest and oldest village in the kwánn, located 20 miles upriver from Lynn Canal. It is still considered a citadel of Tlingit art and heritage. The settlement had at least 500 residents living in 65 community houses in 1881. The village was located far upriver for three reasons. First, there are many productive salmon tributaries above Klukwan. Second, the location provided protection from the fierce southeast winds. Third, it afforded convenient access to Interior trade routes and to hunting grounds where mountain goats, deer, and fur bearers live. [6]