This film explores the profound impact of COVID-19 on tourism in Wrangell, affecting the lives of its residents across various industries. Interviewees in the documentary share their experiences of the tourism industry’s decline during the pandemic and shed light on the current resurgence in tourism since the pandemic’s abatement. They discuss how the increase in cruise ships is benefiting not only the tourism sector but also various other industries, creating a ripple effect that benefits the entire community.

This film was created at The Stories of the Land film and storytelling workshop in Wrangell, Alaska in the Spring of 2023. Stories of the Land included 7th and 8th grade students at Stikine Middle School. They worked to document and tell stories reflecting the long and varied relationships people have had with the land and water around Wrangell, on the traditional lands of the Shtax’héen Kwáan. This project was funded by KTOO through the Youth Cultural Heritage Program (AK State Council on the Arts and Rasmuson Foundation), Crossett Foundation and ASCA Workshop Grant.