U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development’s Southeast Alaska Area Director Keith Perkins today announced that the Jilkaat Kwaan Cultural Heritage Center (JKCHC) in Klukwan has been awarded a $350,000 loan from USDA-Rural Development (USDA-RD). The funding comes through USDA-RD's Community Facility Direct Loan program.
USDA-RD funds will be used to complete the interior construction of the JKCHC in Klukwan, a Native village located 20 miles north of the community of Haines in Southeast Alaska. This community is situated in a USDA StrikeForce Area. The JKCHC will provide cultural services for the community, as well as develop local employment opportunities.
"This is a facility long desired by the Chilkat Indian Association. Our agency is proud to join a host of other funders to help finance the improvements of the Tribe’s Jilkaat Kwaan Culture Heritage Center and Bald Eagle Preserve Visitor Center for both cultural retention and visitor enjoyment. We are pleased to work with a tribal government in its effort for cultural retention and historic preservation while also wanting to teach tribal members, visitors, and residents about the incredibly rich culture of the Jilkaat Kwaan," said Perkins.
"We are pleased to have this part of the funding from the USDA-RD loan program in place, so our project can move forward. With this loan we will be able to complete the classroom and office spaces in our building and possibly complete the retail store. Having space for our traditional arts classes and community education programs is an important part of our vision for the Jilkaat Kwaan Cultural Heritage Center and Bald Eagle Preserve Visitor Center. Our intention is to use the classroom space as a local artist studio during the summer season where visitors will be able to see local artists such as basket weavers, skin sewing artists, and Chilkat and Ravenstail weavers in action, and then serve as an educational center for the remainder of the year. The office spaces are necessary for the Heritage Center staff and the Tribe’s Chilkat Historic Preservation Office, and our staff is eager to occupy the new space," said Jones Hotch Jr., Chilkat Indian Village President.
Since 2009, USDA-Rural Development has invested nearly $2 billion in 225 rural Alaskan communities. These investments in housing, community facilities, business, energy, water and sewer, telecom and electric have helped to grow rural Alaska’s economy and enhance the quality of life for its residents.