The Chilkat are a Tlingit tribe who have lived in and around their village of Klukwan on the Chilkat River, in southeastern Alaska since time immemorial. They lived on foods available on their lands as well as trading with other tribes on the Pacific coast and inland. Settlers came to Chilkat lands in large numbers in the early 20th century, and they dispossessed the Chilkat of most of their land. US authorities attempted to suppress Chilkat culture by prohibiting potlatches and other traditional customs. However, their efforts failed and the Chilkat people maintained many of their traditions. Today most Chilkat people live in Klukwan.

The costumes worn by these Chilkat dancers at Klukwan include button-design and beaded tunics, with elaborately-beaded aprons and fringed leather shirts. The boy in the darker costume wears a wig and headdress of mountain goat horn normally reserved for the ixt, or spiritual leader. All five of the men have nose rings, a traditional adornment, but the boys do not wear them.

Caption on image: "Chilkat Indians in dancing costumes, Alaska" ; "Copyright by Winter & Pond."

Caption information source: "History," Chilkat Indian Village, retrieved from https://chilkat-nsn.gov/history/