The U.S. Navy issued an official apology for the near-destruction of a native Alaskan village 142 years ago. The incident occurred in Angoon, Alaska in 1882, resulting in the death of six children and leaving survivors without food or shelter during a harsh winter. Rear Adm. Mark Sucato acknowledged the pain and suffering inflicted on the Tlingit people, leading to intergenerational trauma. The destruction began with the accidental death of a Tlingit shaman on a whaling ship, prompting the Navy to intervene, ultimately destroying the village. The Navy previously issued a settlement to the village in 1973 and sent a letter of acknowledgment in 1982, but an official apology was long overdue.
The recent apology follows a similar one for the burning and bombardment of the Tlingit village of Kake in 1869. President Biden also recently apologized for abuses committed at Native American boarding schools. The Navy’s apology in Angoon was livestreamed by the Sealaska Heritage Institute, with President Rosita Worl expressing gratitude for preserving their culture. The village had sought acknowledgment and apology for the event for years, and the Navy recognized the significance of their actions. The apology marks a step towards acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices faced by indigenous communities in Alaska and across the United States.
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