Alaska Native leaders warn cruise passengers about a TikTok trend: 'They are not simply making a joke'

A viral TikTok trend involving dancers posing around totem poles has sparked backlash from Alaska Native leaders, highlighting a growing tension between cruise tourism and cultural respect in the state. The videos, which mimic a scene from "The Proposal" and have circulated since at least August 2025, treat sacred Indigenous monuments as props for social media content, prompting joint statements from major Alaska Native organizations.

Totem poles are tall wooden sculptures carved by Indigenous nations including the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. Unlike tourist attractions, these monumental carvings serve as historical and cultural records that document family lineage, significant events, and the identity of Native communities. For Alaska Natives, they represent generations of tradition and responsibility, not backdrops for entertainment.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center, Ketchikan Indian Community, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, and Sealaska Heritage Institute jointly urged visitors to treat these sites with respect. Emily Edenshaw, CEO of the Ketchikan Indian Community, emphasized that mocking totem poles amounts to showing disregard for the communities and ancestors those poles represent. The organizations stressed that Alaska Native culture is not a performance to consume during a vacation.

The debate reflects broader concerns about how cruise tourism affects local communities. Alaska draws hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers annually, drawn by glaciers, wildlife, fresh seafood, and Native cultures. Yet that popularity creates friction when visitors prioritize viral moments over understanding what they encounter. For cruise passengers planning Alaska itineraries, the message is clear: totem poles and cultural sites deserve the same respect you would give any sacred space, whether in your home country or abroad. Climbing them, sitting on them, or using them as photo props disrespects the living cultures they represent.

Originally reported by Royal Caribbean Blog, Elizabeth (August 18, 2026).