US Navy to issue apology for the 1882 destruction of a Tlingit village in Alaska
The US Navy is set to issue an official apology for the devastating obliteration of a Tlingit village in Alaska that took place back in 1882. The shelling of the southwest Alaska Tlingit village of Angoon resulted in the destruction of homes, food stores, and canoes. The Navy then proceeded to burn down what little was left of the village. In the aftermath of the attack, elders in the village, facing dire conditions as winter approached, made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up their lives to ensure that there was enough food for the surviving children.
The incident unfolded on October 26, 1882, in the village of Angoon, which was home to about 420 Tlingit people in the southeastern Alaska panhandle. Now, 142 years later, Rear Adm. Mark Sucato, the commander of the Navy’s northwest region, will deliver the apology during a ceremony scheduled for the anniversary of the tragic event. While Angoon received a settlement of $90,000 from the Department of Interior in 1973 for the damages, the community has been yearning for an official apology from the Navy, with village leaders initiating each yearly remembrance by questioning the absence of an apology.
Daniel Johnson Jr., a tribal head in Angoon, expressed the significance of the long-awaited apology, highlighting the generations of people who have awaited closure and acknowledgment since the tragic event. The shelling of Angoon was part of a series of conflicts between the American military and Alaska Natives following the US acquisition of the territory from Russia in 1867. The US Navy recently issued an apology for the destruction of the nearby village of Kake in 1869, and the Army is also planning to apologise for shelling Wrangell in the same year.
The US Navy has acknowledged that its actions in Angoon and Kake resulted in loss of lives, resources, and multigenerational trauma. The civilian spokesperson for the Navy, Julianne Leinenveber, stated that the apology is not only warranted but long overdue, reflecting on the devastating impact of past actions. Despite conflicting historical accounts regarding the events that led to the destruction of Angoon, the Navy respects the oral tradition of the Tlingit tribe and is committed to acknowledging the lasting effects of the tragic incidents.
Today, Angoon stands as a picturesque village with approximately 420 residents, nestled on the west side of Admiralty Island in the Tongass National Forest. The community has sought to promote ecotourism in recent years, capitalizing on the natural beauty and wildlife abundance in the area. The village’s vibrant culture, with traditional totem poles and colourful homes, exists alongside the rich natural landscape teeming with brown bears, bald eagles, and marine life.
The forthcoming apology from the US Navy holds great significance for the Tlingit community in Angoon and represents a vital step towards healing historical wounds and fostering reconciliation. The acknowledgement of past injustices and the reconciliation process are crucial in addressing the long-lasting impacts of colonial violence on indigenous communities. The ceremony scheduled for the apology is expected to bring closure and a sense of validation to the descendants of those affected by the tragic events of 1882.
Insights and Summary:
The US Navy’s decision to apologise for the 1882 obliteration of a Tlingit village in Alaska is a crucial step towards acknowledging historical injustices and promoting reconciliation with indigenous communities. The long-awaited apology holds immense significance for the descendants of the affected village, offering closure and recognition of past traumas. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the violent legacy of colonialism and underscores the importance of addressing historical atrocities to heal intergenerational wounds. The ceremony marking the apology signifies a pivotal moment in recognising and honouring the resilience of indigenous communities in the face of historical trauma.