In a heartfelt ceremony, the US Navy has apologized to the Tlingit people of southern Alaska for an attack that happened 142 years ago. This apology came after a painful reminder of the destruction of their village, Angoon, which was shelled by American warships on October 26, 1882.
Back then, tensions were high between the Tlingit people and a whaling company. The Navy claimed there was an “uprising” after a Tlingit shaman named Tith Klane died in an accident on a whaling ship. The Tlingit people, however, say they never demanded anything from the whalers and did not take hostages as the Navy suggested.
In response to the whaling company’s plea for help, Commander Edgar C. Merriman led his men to Angoon. He demanded the Tlingit people pay a hefty tribute of 400 blankets as punishment for what he viewed as disobedience. When the tribe could only offer 81 blankets, Merriman ordered an attack on the village.
On that fateful day, warships bombarded Angoon, destroying huts, boats, and food supplies. The Tlingit people were left homeless and hungry just as winter was approaching. Many villagers, including six children, lost their lives due to the cold and lack of food. This brutal act caused deep suffering that still affects the Tlingit community today.
During the recent apology ceremony, Rear Admiral Mark Sucato, who leads the US Navy Northwest, expressed sincere regret for the Navy’s actions. He acknowledged that the attack had lasting consequences for the Tlingit people, leading to loss of life, culture, and resources. He stated, “The Navy recognizes the pain and suffering inflicted upon the Tlingit people, and we acknowledge these wrongful actions.”
The Tlingit community has been waiting for this apology for generations. Each year, they held a remembrance ceremony, hoping that someone from the Navy would come and express regret for the past. Daniel Johnson Jr., a tribal leader in Angoon, shared the pain of his ancestors who lived through the attack, saying, “You can imagine the generations of people that have died since 1882 that have wondered what had happened and why it happened.”
Angoon has since been rebuilt, and in 1973, the Tlingit received a $90,000 settlement from the US government. However, many feel that money cannot replace what was lost. The recent apology brings a sense of closure, but the memories of that tragic winter remain etched in the hearts of the Tlingit people.
Rosita Worl, a respected elder and head of the Sealaska Heritage Institute, spoke about the sacrifices made during that harsh winter. Some elders chose to “walk into the woods” to die, ensuring that younger members of the tribe had enough food to survive.
This apology from the Navy is not the only recent acknowledgment of past wrongs. Just last month, the Navy also apologized for destroying the nearby village of Kake in 1869. The US Army is also planning to apologize for shelling the town of Wrangell during the same time period, although a date for that apology has not yet been set.
The history of the US military’s actions against the Alaska natives stretches back to when the US bought the territory from Russia in 1867. This purchase, which cost $7.2 million (about $153.3 billion today), was controversial at the time but later gained significance when gold was discovered in the Klondike.
As the Tlingit people continue to reflect on this apology, they hope for healing and a better understanding of their history. The Navy’s acknowledgment of their past mistakes marks a step towards reconciliation, reminding us all of the importance of recognizing and learning from our history.
