Kootznoowoo, Inc.

Angoon, translated from Tlingit, means “Town on the Portage” or “Isthmus Town.”  Angoon, the only permanent community on Admiralty, faces Chatham Strait and is bordered on three sides by the Kootznoowoo Wilderness Area that encompasses 90 percent of the million acre Island.

Angoon lies west of Mitchell Bay, a scenic area of islands, narrow channels, estuaries and lagoons.

There are historic areas including forts, summer fishing camps, old garden sites and other places set up by clans and individuals.  Mitchell Bay was owned by the Deisheetaan Clan in the 19th century and used as a summer settlement along the shores of the Hasselborg River.  There the Natives harvested salmon eggs and fished with dip nets.  Later the bay ownership was passed to the Teikweidee Clan.

Today, the residents of Angoon continue to rely on the subsistence life style of harvesting and gathering the food.   There are approximately 450 residents, one general store and a lodge.  There are no restaurants.  Situated among more modern houses and school buildings are weathered clan houses.  The streets are graveled and narrow.  There are few amenities for visitors and tourism is not a priority as the local economy is based on fishing.  One need only observe the town, docks and beaches to feel the past of this village.