The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-14
AIoska Indian
 Tokes Wealth Out Of Water
BY MURRAY M. MOLER

| S"@SSssSAAUAos, <AAAAACtuC 4Ol6AlO, 1Als sska, (UP-The Annette Island Canning Company has opened its 58th fishing season-a season that will contribute further to the prosperity of this unique, self-sup- porting Indian community, already the richest native village in AL aska.
 Since famed, precedent-defying William Duncan, recalcitrant Church of England missionary, led the Tsimshean Indians here from their British Columbia homes in 1887, Metlakahtla has grown rich- er-and prettier-by the year. The Indians wealth has come from the deep, cold waters that surround Annette Island, from the forests that abound on the hills and slopes near Metlakahtla and from wages from building this island into the main Southeastern Alaska air base.
 The community-owned, modern, spotleSs cannery on the Metla- kahtla pier in Port Chester bay was all shined up for the opening season. The Indians make up the crews of the IA fishing boats oper- ating out of Metlakahtla, but the actual canning is done under lease by the Annette Island company, fo which w. A. Fries of Seattle is president.
 City Shares Profits From the cannery profits, the company gets 24 per cent. The other 76 per cent goes into City | Treasurer James Evans vaults to be added to the city's lumber mill profits made during the winter and spring. Total revenue is so high-ETans says exact figures are military secret"-that the only taxes on Annette are the poll tax and a small store tax.
 Mayor Johnny Smith and his 12 Indian councilmen operate the town the way Father" Duncan de- cided when he founded the pay as-we-go" community.
 We can't make the people paint their houses to keep Metlakahtla shining" Evans smiled, but we surely encourage it. And we have everything that any city has-our own power plant that furnishes elec- tricity free.'
 Average income of the native families = about 300 of them live here-is estimated by Evans at more than 5000 a year.
 Its higher now than before the war, but we never were very badly cff," the city treaurers added.
 Ill addition to its Alaska wide reputation for cleanliness and prosperity, Metlakahtla also is probably the most religious Indian village in this far-reaching terri tory.
 Most Go to Church
 Mrs. Frederick c. Schmidt, wife of the pastor of the Duncan founded Metlakahtla Christian church, estimated that more than 80 per cent of the natives regularly attended the Christian church or the 23-year old Presbyterian church.
 The Christian church still holds its services in the mammoth, na- tive-wood Duncan memorial church, built by the Indians in tribute to their father. The Presbyterian church is a block away over the towns unique narrow, wooden streets. near the block-square Town Halr".
 The ministers and their families and Indian Service physicians and experts are the only non-native all-year residents of Metlakahtla The others are predominately still Tsimsheans, but a few members of the Thlinget and. Haida tribes have also settled here.
 Schmidt still tries to keep the Christian church on the non-de- rominational principles laid down by Duncan when he broke from the Church of England in 1887, although it has a national con nection for convenience" with the Methodists.
 "Father" Duncan had been a missionary in British Columbia TOT 3O wears before he decided to break away and come here so the natives could worship just as they pleased. Like the Pilgrims in going to Plymouth" Evans explained. We are still pretty independent in our religion"
 Metlakahtlans are intensely proud of their community, of the record 40 of its sons have made in this war and of the part Annette Island has played in defense of the conti- nent.
 "When the war broke out, our big airport was garrisoned by many troops from The States and Canada" Evans boasted. Tt was the only really strong outpost up here. It's still the first stepping stone for Alaskan-bound planes, military and commercial. and al-