HX Expeditions, the world’s first and longest-running expedition cruise company, has become the first commercial line to call at Old Harbor, an Alutiiq community on Kodiak Island, marking a significant milestone in the company's ongoing commitment to community-led exploration in Alaska.
The visit took place on Sunday, August 2nd, aboard MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid battery-powered expedition ship, during HX's Alaska & British Columbia | Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands voyage. Located on the southeastern coast of Kodiak Island, Old Harbor is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Kodiak Archipelago and home to a rich Alutiiq cultural heritage.
Developed in partnership with Old Harbor Native Corporation (OHNC), the visit created a new opportunity for guests to experience the community through local stories, traditions, and perspectives.
“Welcoming HX Expeditions to Old Harbor marks an important milestone for our community,” said Kristina Woolston, CEO of OHNC. “This partnership reflects our commitment to sharing Alutiiq/Sugpiaq culture, history, and values in a way that is guided by the community and benefits the people."
“At OHNC, we are committed to creating opportunities that strengthen our community while honoring the values that have sustained our Indigenous people for generations,” said Lillian O'Brien, Board Chair of OHNC. “We are proud to showcase Old Harbor in a way that reflects our culture, supports our people, and creates lasting opportunities for future generations.”
Ahead of HX's inaugural call, the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor passed a formal resolution endorsing the visit and supporting the opportunity to share the community's culture, history, and values with visitors.
As part of the community's preparations, local artists and Elders reconstructed a traditional village home, known as a ciqlluaq. The project was created to support the visit and future visitors to Old Harbor while helping preserve and share Alutiiq/Sugpiaq heritage for generations to come.
