Doyon, Limited and Huna Totem Corporation Join in Acquiring Portage Glacier Cruises
Photo Credit: sintiaweber | Envato
Glacier cruising out of the Whittier area will have a new, indigenous focus as Na-Dena`, the joint venture between Doyon, Limited and Huna Totem Corporation takes ownership of Portage Glacier Cruises.
Sharing a Rich Cultural Heritage
Portage Glacier Cruises offers a well-established operation providing access to one of Alaska’s most popular glacial landscapes. The cruise navigates the iceberg-dotted lake at the foot of Portage Glacier, allowing visitors to experience Alaska’s natural environment while learning about the region’s history through interpretive narration provided by the US Forest Service.
Huna Totem already has a foothold in the area, investing in Chugach Glacier Gateway, the new cruise ship passenger terminal in Whittier.
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September 2026
“The acquisition of Portage Glacier Cruises is a natural extension of our development efforts in Whittier and aligns with our Alaska Native Tourism Network strategy,” says Huna Totem President and CEO Russell Dick. “With a built-in customer base that includes both cruise passengers and independent travelers in the region, this investment enhances our ability to offer high-quality, locally relevant experiences for our customers.”
The purchase aligns with the Na-Dena` mission of promoting sustainable and culturally immersive tourism experiences. The acquisition is the third Na-Dena` investment in Alaska tourism since the joint venture was formed. In 2022, the joint venture acquired an 80 percent stake in Alaska Independent Coach Tours, including its Seattle-based operation, Pacific Alaska Tours. In 2023, Na-Dena`, in partnership with Klawock Heenya village corporation, developed a new destination on Klawock Island, which welcomed its first ships in 2024.
Jordan Sanford, president of Doyon Tourism, says, “By continuing to enhance tourism infrastructure and expanding cultural tourism experiences, we are not only creating new opportunities for visitors to engage with and learn from Alaska Native cultures but also strengthening our ability to promote the economic and social well-being of our shareholders and future shareholders, while preserving and sharing our rich cultural heritage for generations to come.”
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What happens when a city with fewer than 300 residents becomes a major freight and tourism hub, despite being accessible only by boat, plane, or a one-lane highway/railroad tunnel managed on a strict schedule?
If you’re in the City of Whittier, you get busy. The city has two separate transportation planning efforts underway, including a safety action plan under the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, which focuses on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and emergency responders. The second is Whittier Moves, the city’s transportation master plan, which serves as the long-term roadmap for growth.