The US Navy is making amends for past mistakes, specifically the 1882 bombardment of Angoon, Alaska. On Saturday, Navy Adm Mark Sucato will formally apologize to the small town, acknowledging the harm inflicted on the Tlingit community. This marks the second apology by the military to Alaska Natives, following a similar apology in Kake last September.
The 1882 attack left devastating consequences, claiming the lives of seven children and destroying food stores and dugout canoes essential for hunting and fishing. Emma Demmert, Angoon principal and event organizer, notes that generational trauma still lingers. “I didn’t learn about this until I was an adult,” she says. “The generation before me was still traumatized and angry.”
Demmert emphasizes the importance of historical education for younger generations. “I feel like the current administration recognizes the trauma inflicted on our Native, Indigenous people,” she adds. President Joe Biden recently issued a formal apology for the abuse Indigenous children suffered in boarding schools.
While Alaska Native researcher Benjamin Jacuk welcomes the validation of historically unrecognized crimes, he stresses that apologies must be accompanied by action. Demmert concurs, viewing apologies as only the first step in acknowledging injustice.
The Tlingit community will host an apology ceremony, a traditional ku.éex’ or pay-off party, starting at 10 am, expected to attract a large crowd. Navy officials and visitors will stay in Angoon until Monday.
This news story was originally published by Alaska’s News Source.
