The Chilkoot Indian Association in Haines, Alaska, has finalized a moorage agreement with ACL-American Cruise Lines, establishing a new arrangement for the company’s vessels to use the tribe-owned Portage Cove dock. The agreement forms part of the tribe’s broader tourism development strategy and its efforts to generate independent revenue.
Negotiations between the two parties were first reported in February, when Gabe Thomas, a Haines Borough Assembly member and the Chilkoot Indian Association’s transportation director, confirmed that discussions were underway regarding mooring rights at the dock. Following approximately six additional months of negotiations, the agreement has now been concluded.
Tribal administrator Harriet Brouillette did not disclose the specific financial terms but indicated that the arrangement was likely similar to agreements American Cruise Lines had pursued elsewhere in the region. Under such agreements, the company has offered municipalities payments and funding for dock improvements in exchange for guaranteed moorage access.
American Cruise Lines had previously made a public offer to the Haines Borough, which was withdrawn shortly before the tribe’s negotiations became public. The company’s vessels called at the borough’s cruise ship dock 31 times during the latest summer season. Regional scheduling projections indicate that these calls are expected to move to the Chilkoot Indian Association’s facility from 2027.
The agreement represents a further development of Discover Deishú, the tribe’s tourism initiative, which has expanded in recent years to include the dock, a restaurant, a gear shop and a tour operator. The initiative is intended to generate revenue that the tribe can allocate according to its own priorities.
Unlike municipal governments such as the Haines Borough, which finance a substantial portion of their budgets through sales and property taxes, Alaska tribal governments have limited taxation powers. The Chilkoot Indian Association’s governmental functions therefore rely primarily on grants and funding arrangements negotiated with the federal government. Such funding typically carries restrictions on how the money can be used.
Revenue generated through the tribe’s commercial operations provides greater flexibility. Brouillette described this as unencumbered income, explaining that it allows the tribe to generate revenue independently and support projects aligned with its cultural priorities without relying entirely on external funding sources.
The dock itself was acquired after its previous owner, Klukwan, Inc., declared bankruptcy. The Chilkoot Indian Association purchased the facility using federal tribal transportation funds, which are subject to spending restrictions. Moorage fees generated by the dock now provide a return on that investment, with revenue directed to the tribe’s transportation department under fewer restrictions than those attached to the original federal funding.
Brouillette said the tribe intended to balance commercial development with its governing principles, cultural responsibilities and environmental considerations. Discover Deishú is also intended to introduce visitors to the tribe’s history and culture, helping build understanding and support for the community.
Further waterfront development is planned following the award of a US$2 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration. According to Brouillette, the funding will support a plan to upgrade the dock and other parts of the tribe’s waterfront property.
The planned improvements are expected to take place alongside the continued development of the Haines Borough’s cruise ship facilities. Brouillette indicated that both operations could benefit from increased cruise activity, noting that passengers arriving at the tribal dock would not be limited to excursions offered through Discover Deishú.
The agreement with American Cruise Lines therefore represents both a new moorage arrangement for the operator and a further step in the Chilkoot Indian Association’s strategy to expand its tourism business and strengthen its financial independence while maintaining its cultural and environmental priorities.