Experience the Huna Tribal House

Xunaa Shuká Hít (Huna Ancestors' House) is commonly referred to as the Huna Tribal House. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is the ancestral Homeland of the Huna Łingít clans who sustained themselves for centuries on the abundant resources of the land and sea. Although villages inside the Bay were overrun by the Little Ice Age glacial advance of the 1700's, the Huna Łingít re-established numerous fish camps and several villages in Glacier Bay soon after glacial retreat. The Huna Tribal House memorializes the clan houses that once lined the shores of present day Bartlett Cove, now the site of National Park Service headquarters in Glacier Bay. 

Details

Duration

1-3 Hours

Activity

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Programs and special events may be offered in the summer depending on tribal use and availability.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Bartlett Cove

The Huna Tribal House is located on the Łingít Trail, about 1/4 mile past the Glacier Bay Lodge to the northeast

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

The Huna Tribal House is accessible on the Łingít Trail, which is a six foot wide compacted dirt trail. The trail is mostly flat, but may have rocks and roots on the surface.

Learn more about accessibility in Glacier Bay

The interior of the tribal house contains four totems, each representing one of the clans in the area. NPS Photo/L. Marois

During your visit, learn about the history of the Tlingit and their connection to their homeland of Glacier Bay. See the Huna Tribal House, the first permanent clan house in Glacier Bay since the Little Ice Age glacial advance, and the eagle and raven totem poles. During the summer, special presentations and guided programs are sometimes offered at the tribal house to share Tlingit culture with those who visit the park.

Ranger Recommendation
The paths along Bartlett Cove and near the tribal house are filled with informative exhibits about the natural and cultural history of the park. After seeing the tribal house and totems, explore the surrounding area to see Tlingit tree carvings, a traditional dugout canoe, and read about how the Tlingit people have been and still are connected to this land.