The U.S. Navy has formally apologized to the Tlingit community for the bombardment and destruction of the Alaska Native village of Angoon on October 26, 1882, marking a somber historical moment for the community.
Rear Adm. Mark Sucato, during an emotional ceremony livestreamed from Angoon, acknowledged the “pain and suffering” caused by the Navy’s actions, which led to the loss of life, homes, resources, and culture.
This tragic event began with the accidental death of a Tlingit shaman, Tith Klane, when a harpoon gun malfunctioned on a whaling vessel owned by the North West Trading Co. The Tlingit community’s demands for compensation—a traditional practice—were refused.
Commanding officer E.C. Merriman then ordered the village to produce 400 blankets as punishment for disobedience.
When only 81 blankets were offered, the Navy attacked, razing the village and destroying essential food stores.
The devastation left the community homeless as winter approached, resulting in many deaths from cold and starvation. Elders sacrificed their lives to save resources for the young.
Although Angoon received a financial settlement from the Department of Interior in 1973, the community had long sought an official apology, a call repeated yearly.
This year, Navy officials finally responded, honoring the Tlingit version of events and paying respect to the community’s profound, intergenerational trauma.
Community leaders expressed hope that this apology could foster healing, with descendants of Tlingit elders feeling that the spirits of their ancestors were present for the ceremony.