Paw & Feathers Trading

Our Business

Chitina is a rare place of pure natural beauty, rich history with truly unique inhabitants. 

Michael had dreamt of having a shop to sell his artwork from, while I have always hoped to own my own hotel or cabins since I worked at a guest ranch as a young girl.   

 So, here we are both of our dreams very much alive at the Gateway to the Nations’ largest park, Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

To veiw a collection of our photos click here...

  Photo Montage

Who We Are

Michael, Kris & Niishjaa

    We are adventurers...who count our blessings that we have been fortunate enough to be a part of this wild land, before the modern world has taken over. 

     The wind was blowing our way the day we found our neighbors and friends Roy & Carol Alley.  They agreed to sell us our raw land with only a hand shake the summer of 1994.  The trust in each other that Alaskans have is a rarity in our modern world and a part of our way of life in rural

Alaska. 

     For the next four years we settled into our little 22 foot Airstream with a  20’ x 16’ garage structure built around it and a barrel woodstove for heat during our first winter with –60 below zero weather. 

     Michael and I began clearing our land by hand.   The final leveling was done by Roy with his 1940 era cat , which was another peek into our rich history.   We drew our building plans on graph paper during the winter.  In the spring of 1995 a local saw mill delivered our tongue and groove milled logs. Michael, with help from myself and our friends put all the logs together  by hand.  It took us four years to build and we finally moved in the summer of 1999. 

     We have come along way baby... Our first years were spent living a subsistence lifestyle.  We hauled our water from the creek and boiled it.  You know the appliances most people consider antiques, well we actually put them to good use.   We ate primarily wild game meats and vegetables from our garden.    Though those days are some of the best memories we are now in the modern age, we have running water, a compost toilet  and all the amenities.  No more pour cup showers by the wood stove or running to the creek for water.    Though those days will be missed! 

     We live in Chitina year around.  Michael Niishjaa and Kris all enjoy making jewelry and creating art, during the long dark winter months that you often find for sale in the cabins. 

    Our daughter Shea and her boyfriend Dave live in Arizona where we hope to escape the sub zero temps on vacation to visit during the long dark winter months. 

Click Below to View

Our Daughters Photo Montage