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Navy issues formal apology for attack on Alaskan Tlingit village 142 years ago

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The U.S. Navy has issued an official apology for a 142-year-old attack on the Tlingit village of Angoon, Alaska, in 1882. Rear Adm. Mark Sucato, commander of the Navy’s northwest region, delivered the apology during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the bombardment.

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Sucato acknowledged the Navy’s responsibility in the attack, noting it resulted in loss of life, resources and cultural heritage for the Tlingit people, and caused long-lasting trauma across generations.

The apology comes decades after Angoon’s leaders and residents began calling for formal recognition of the incident, which saw shells falling on the village and sailors destroying homes, food supplies and canoes as winter approached.

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The destruction reportedly began after the accidental death of a Tlingit shaman, Tith Klane, who died in an explosion while working on a whaling ship.

Following his death, the Tlingit demanded 200 blankets in accordance with cultural practices as compensation, according to reports. When the request was denied, a conflict ensued, and the Navy launched the bombardment.

The attack left six children dead and destroyed much of the village’s food stores, leading to further losses during the winter.

The incident is one of several historical conflicts between Alaska Natives and U.S. military forces following the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. In 1973, Angoon received $90,000 in compensation for the damages but continued to seek an official apology.

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[Craig Nigrelli]

THE U.S. NAVY ISSUED A LONG-SOUGHT APOLOGY TO THE TLINGIT PEOPLE OF ANGOON, ALASKA, FOR A DEVASTATING 1882 BOMBARDMENT THAT LEFT THE VILLAGE IN RUIN. THE ATTACK, TRIGGERED BY TENSIONS AFTER THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A SHAMAN, INVOLVED THE NAVY SHELLING AND BURNING HOMES, DESTROYING FOOD STORES, AND LEAVING RESIDENTS WITHOUT SHELTER JUST AS WINTER APPROACHED.

SIX CHILDREN WERE KILLED. SEVERAL ELDERS SACRIFICED THEIR OWN LIVES TO PRESERVE FOOD FOR THE YOUNG.

AT A CEREMONY ON THE 142ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBARDMENT, REAR ADMIRAL MARK SUCATO EXPRESSED REGRET FOR THE NAVY’S ACTIONS, ACKNOWLEDGING THE ENDURING PAIN, LOSS, AND INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA INFLICTED ON THE TLINGIT COMMUNITY. THE CEREMONY, ATTENDED BY LOCAL LEADERS AND DESCENDANTS, MARKED THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF PLEAS FOR AN OFFICIAL APOLOGY.

THE NAVY’S APOLOGY FOLLOWS DECADES OF EFFORTS TO MEMORIALIZE THE EVENT. ALTHOUGH ANGOON RECEIVED 90-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN A 1973 SETTLEMENT AS REPARATION FOR LOST PROPERTY, COMMUNITY LEADERS SAID THAT AN APOLOGY HELD DEEPER SIGNIFICANCE FOR HEALING AND RECONCILIATION.

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