OUR HISTORY
EARLY BEGINNINGS AND ELLAMAR
Tatitlek Village’s roots may be traced back to many centuries ago with multiple Village sites prior to the location known as present-day Tatitlek Village. In 1897 two mining prospectors filed a mining patent with the U.S. government forcing the Tatitlek people to move south to the Village’s current location.
Once mining operations closed in the 1900s, a fish cannery opened in the area known as Ellamar, which provided a source of employment for Tatitlek Village’s residents until a fire destroyed operations in the 1960’s. TTC has since purchased parcels of much of the Ellamar land which was platted for development.
1964 EARTHQUAKE
In 1964, the second-most powerful earthquake in world history struck just 45 miles from the Tatitlek Village. The 9.2 magnitude quake, after-tremors, and powerful tsunamis caused extensive damage to many Chugach Region communities and also caused mass mortality of several ocean species.
1989 exxon valdez oil spill
In 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef just two miles from Tatitlek Village, spilling an estimated 257,000 barrels (10.8 million gallons) of crude oil into the waters of Prince William Sound. Due to slow clean up response time, populations of marine species including seabirds, shellfish and fish were devasted, severely impacting commercial fishing and significantly reducing the ability to hunt and fish by an estimated 89%. With its close proximity, Tatitlek Village became the epicenter of media attention and clean-up efforts and both people and economies in Prince William Sound communities have suffered in the years following the spill.
TATITLEK TODAY
The Tatitlek Corporation was established in 1973 under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act by the United States Congress. TTC and its subsidiaries have 1,300 global employees providing services to defense contractors, federal entities and private companies worldwide. Headquartered in Anchorage, AK, TTC is one of five corporate village entities within the Chugach Alaska Corporation region.
The Native Village of Tatitlek is located in northeastern Prince William Sound, 30 miles south of Valdez, AK and 40 miles northwest of Cordova, AK on the eastern shore of the Tatitlek Narrows. Accessible only by sea or air, Tatitlek Village is located on a flat strip of land bordered by the Chugach forest and waters of Prince William Sound.
The Tatitlek Corporation’s notable business success and continued growth has translated to opportunities to enhance and enrich the lives of our people. Through TTC’s success, millions of dollars have been provided via shareholder dividends in addition to funding opportunities to further shareholder career advancement, educational pursuits, and business success among various other services. Further honoring and perpetuating of the traditional lifestyle and culture of Alutiiq people takes place through TTC’s Copper Mountain Foundation and annual “Peksulineq” celebration in Tatitlek Village.
