Hoochinoo

Hoochinoo is a Native American tribe historically located in Southeast Alaska. They are part of the Tlingit nation and are closely related to the Tlingit people of Yakutat. The name Hoochinoo is believed to derive from the Tlingit word "xóotsnáaxu," meaning "fortress of the brown bear." This name likely refers to a significant traditional village or stronghold of the people.

Traditionally, the Hoochinoo people were maritime hunters and gatherers, relying on the rich resources of the Alaskan coast. Their diet consisted of salmon, seals, whales, and various berries and plants. They were skilled woodcarvers, known for their totem poles, masks, and other ceremonial objects. Their social structure was organized into clans, with a strong emphasis on kinship and lineage.

The Hoochinoo people experienced significant disruption due to European and American contact. Diseases, the fur trade, and eventually the establishment of the United States had profound impacts on their traditional way of life. Many Hoochinoo people were eventually absorbed into other Tlingit communities, particularly the Yakutat Tlingit.

Today, the descendants of the Hoochinoo people are recognized as part of the federally recognized Yakutat Tlingit Tribe. They continue to maintain their cultural heritage through language preservation efforts, traditional arts, and ceremonies. The history of the Hoochinoo is an important part of the larger Tlingit narrative and the cultural landscape of Southeast Alaska.