Kake, with a population of about 598, is a predominantly Tlinght(70%) community and can be reached by sea or air. Kake commissioned the world's largest totem pole (132-foot) for Alaska's centennial celebration in 1967. The totem pole returned to Kake from the World's Fair in Japan in 1971, and is now located on a bluff that overlooks the town.
The current main life blood for the economy is Fishing and seafood processing, with logging playing an important part.
Historically, The Kake tribe controlled the trade routes around Kuiu and Kupreanof islands,defending the territory against other tribal groups.
Early European explorers and traders who ventured into the region had occasional skirmishes with the Kake Tlingits.
A non-Native sentry in Sitka shot and killed a Kake Native in 1869. The Kakes then killed two prospectors in accordance with their traditional custom. The U.S. Navy sent the USS Saginaw in reprisal to punish the Kakes by shelling their villages and destroying homes, boats and stored foods. The Kake people having survived the onslaught dispersed and lived with other tribes.
The kake people regrouped at the current village site over the following 20 years. A government school and a store were built in 1891. And in the early 1900s, Kake became the first Alaska Native village to organize under federal law, resulting in U.S. citizenship for community residents.
Geographically, Kake, sits on the northwest end of Kupreanoff Island 98 air miles southwest of Juneau, and encompasses a land area of 8.2 square miles. Kake has a elementary, junior high and high schools.There is a medical clinic and EMS service, Police and volunteer fire department. Kake also has a 4000 ft lighted paved runway, a state ferry terminal, a sheltered boat harbor and a deep water freight dock.
The waters out front of town are rich with halibut and salmon, and offers great whale viewing, some of the best in the state. On land you can see bears and eagles feeding on returning salmon in Gunnuk Creek, or view moose and other wildlife on the many forest roads in the area. Come and celebrate with the locals on the 4th of July, or at the annual Dog salmon festival. Learn about Tlingit cultural at the annual culture camp or just sit back and enjoy the scenery of the are.
