403 Bayview Blvd
Klawock, AK 99925
907-755-2265
The Klawock Cooperative Association is a federally acknowledged Native American tribe. The tribal population is composed of 58.1% of Alaska Native or for some, partially Native. The Klawock Cooperative Association is actually the result of a mixture of the Tlingit and the non-Native city. Because of the massive logging operations, the lives of the Klawock Cooperative Association have been greatly affected by this industry. The tribal members usually push through a subsistence lifestyle allowing them to gain food sources. The tribal history is said to be closely linked to fishing. In the year 1868, a trading post and a salmon saltier were both brought to the community. It was a San Francisco firm who established the first ever cannery in the area in the year 1878. Following these canneries were Chinese contractors who operated the canneries upon contract with the tribal community. Between the years of 1897 and 1917, a hatchery for red salmon soon sprouted and operated. The salmon hatchery was then located in the Klawock Lake. The community was incorporated as a City along with the establishment of a school. In the year 1934, the Klawock was given funds from the Wheeler Howard Act. The funds were to be used in developing and improving a local cannery. The fund also suggested that the tribe vote to be liquor-free. Several other enterprises followed, such as the Alaska Timber Corporation, the Kawock-Heenya Village Corporation and the Shaan Seet Corporation of Craig, the Sealaska Timber Corporation. One of the major landmarks of that the community is proud of is that of the Totem Park. The Totem Park has displays of twenty one fully restored totem poles and some replicas dating back from the older village. Aside from the displays, the Totem Park features a Heritage Center as well as a Long House. The tribe also owns a package store and one of the provisions of the store is the prohibition of selling alcoholic beverages. The year 2000 Census data reveals that there are three hundred sixty eight housing unites as well as another fifty five vacant housing units in the whole of the tribal territory. In the same year, there were also said to be three hundred seventy two residents who were employed. The data also revealed that the unemployment rate is 15.65 percent during the same year. The date also shows that 39.61 percent of the adults were not engaged in work force. It was also during that year when the recorded median income of a household was $35,000 and the per capita income was at $14,621. Also, there are 14.25% of the residents who were below the poverty level. Up to this day, the tribal economy relies mainly on cannery and fishing. The timber industry has also become well known and important. There are logging operations as conducted through the contract signed with the Shaan Seet Incorporated, to provide for employment and economical growth of the tribe.
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