Ketchikan Indian Community Launching First Tribal Wellness Center at Salmon Falls Resort

“By reclaiming this space and redefining its purpose, we are creating a place where true healing can happen—a place shaped by our culture, our sovereignty, and our understanding of what our people need to thrive,” says Burns. “It will serve not only Alaska Native people but also our non-Native neighbors who share this community with us.”

The addition of Salmon Falls strengthens KIC’s continuum-of-care model and positions the community to meet needs that have gone unmet. “With this acquisition, we finally have the ability to stand up both inpatient and outpatient treatment services that address one of Alaska’s most urgent crises,” says KIC Tribal Administrator and CEO Emily Edenshaw.

KIC has heard concerns about Salmon Falls losing its place in the local tourism economy. Burns responds, “Our people need a place to heal more than we need another hotel. The opioid crisis, the absence of detox services in Southeast, and the behavioral health needs of our community demanded bold action. Our council unanimously chose a path that centers our citizens, honors our cultural responsibility, and creates meaningful, long-term impact—to seasonal income.”

However, KIC sees a role for cultural tourism, in contrast to commercial tourism, continuing at the resort, both to sustain employment opportunities and to support tribal enterprise.

“Cultural tourism and wellness are not mutually exclusive,” says Edenshaw. “Healing remains the heart of this project. Any tourism-related programming will be values-driven, community-centered, and intentionally integrated to uplift and not overshadow recovery and wellness.”

KIC Health Administrator Trixie Bennett underscores the broader significance of the project: “As we celebrate the acquisition of Salmon Falls, we begin a new chapter toward establishing a Healing Center rooted in whole-person care. This vision aligns not only with the aspirations of our community but also with state and federal priorities for rural health transformation.”

Reclaiming the Future

Salmon Falls includes seven buildings with more than fifty guest rooms, a full restaurant, commercial laundry facilities, office and clubhouse space, bunkhouses, walk-in freezers, extensive storage, and a fleet of marine vessels. Its strategic location enhances access to traditional harvesting grounds, canoe programming, and KIC’s future Culture Camp at Naha Bay a short boat ride away.

Burns says, “This moment is not just about acquiring a property. It is about reclaiming our future. We step into this chapter with the full support of our citizens, our Elders, and our partners. And we do so in deep gratitude for the tribal leaders who came before us, whose strength and sacrifices made this possible.”

KIC intends to immediately begin renovations, licensing, and program development, with phased openings planned for 2026. Sustainable funding sources include federal lease agreements under Section 105(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, cost recovery, Indian Health Service reimbursements, behavioral health grants, cultural program grants, and future mission-aligned tribal cultural tourism revenue.

KIC already operates more than a dozen facilities across the region, providing primary healthcare for tribal citizens and Native and non-Native veterans; outpatient medical-assisted treatment services through RISE Wellness and other partnerships; housing for Native and non-Native families; and cultural and language programs that strengthen identity and connection.