Cheechako is a distinctly Alaskan word that refers to a person who has newly arrived in Alaska or the Yukon Territory of Canada. Historically, it referred to someone who had just arrived at a mining district in these regions during the Gold Rush.
This film introduces the term Cheechako — an Alaskan Indian word meaning newcomer. The film looks at what kind of living and working conditions newcomers could expect to find when they transferred to the Alaska region. Several former “cheechakos” offered their experiences. These and the film’s narration highlight the differences between Alaska and the lower 48, pointing out some of the problems all newcomers face.