 He obtained permission from the US government—travelling to testify before Congress himself—to establish an Indian reservation there (still Alaska's sole Indian reservation), then led approximately 800 Tsimshians in a canoe voyage from "Old" Metlakatla to "New" Metlakatla, Alaska, in 1887.The new community was successful, especially economically successful, with a sawmill, cannery, and other enterprises.Economic self-sufficiency was a core tenet of Duncan's vision for the community.