Culture & History
A Rich Culture – A Storied Past
A Legacy of Community and Family
Cape Fox Lodge is a subsidiary of Cape Fox Corporation, a Tlingit Alaska Native village corporation based in the nearby community of Saxman, just two miles south of Ketchikan. Many of our shareholders and employees are members of this community, and their spirit of hospitality and stewardship guides all that we do.
The mission for Cape Fox Corporation is to preserve Tlingit culture, promote economic opportunity, and support educational growth while honoring the values that have sustained our people for generations.
Honoring the First People of Southeast Alaska
The Tlingit people, whose name means “human beings,” have lived in Southeast Alaska for thousands of years. Known as the Saanya Kwaan or “People of the Southeast Wind,” the Tlingit are naturalists who see all living things—people, animals, and the land—as connected and deserving of respect.
Tlingit society is divided into two moieties: the Raven and the Eagle. Each clan holds its own stories, songs, and totems that reflect identity, heritage, and responsibility to future generations.
From Cape Fox Village to Saxman
Generations ago, the Tlingit of Cape Fox Village thrived as hunter-gatherers in Southeast Alaska. Following a devastating smallpox outbreak and cultural disruptions at the turn of the 20th century, many relocated to a new community known today as Saxman.
Despite challenges, the people of Saxman carried forward their traditions, rebuilding their community around values of unity, education, and cultural preservation. The name “Cape Fox” continues to symbolize strength, resilience, and a deep connection to this land.
The Return of the Cape Fox Artifacts
In 1899, members of the Harriman Alaska Expedition visited the abandoned Cape Fox Village and removed sacred totems and cultural objects, believing the site to be deserted. Over a century later, in 2001, under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, many of these artifacts were returned to the rightful caretakers—the Cape Fox Tlingit.
Today, visitors can experience the artistry and symbolism of Tlingit culture through the displays, carvings, and artwork showcased within Cape Fox Lodge.
Cape Fox Corporation Community
Cape Fox Corporation (CFC) has a growing family of commercial businesses offering the best in tourism for Southeast, Alaska.
Indigenous fine arts & Alaskan gift shop located at the Saxman Totem Park. Proudly offering beautiful Tlingit, Haida, & Tsimshian art as well as local, regional, and Alaskan products for a taste of the Real Alaskan Life.
Established in 1988, Cape Fox Tours specializes in personalized, engaging experiences that highlight the culture, cuisine, and natural beauty of Alaska.
The Cultural Foundation is a place to see many different aspects of art and experience Ketchikan’s legacy in person.
108 Taphouse specializes in its craft cocktails. You can come in and ask for a coconut milk margarita or a celery sour, and one of our talented bartenders will whip it right up.