US Navy Issues Apology for 1882 Attack on Alaska Angoon Village

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US Navy Issues Apology for 1882 Attack on Alaska Angoon Village \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. Navy formally apologized to the Tlingit community of Angoon, Alaska, for a devastating 1882 attack that destroyed homes, food supplies, and cultural heritage, leading to widespread loss and suffering. This long-awaited apology was issued by Rear Adm. Mark Sucato at an emotional ceremony, bringing a sense of acknowledgment and potential healing for the descendants of those affected.

The U.S. Navy’s Apology for 1882 Angoon Attack: Key Points

The Navy apologized for its 1882 attack on Angoon, a Tlingit village, which caused multigenerational trauma.
Rear Adm. Mark Sucato’s apology recognized the devastating impact on the Tlingit people, including lost lives and culture.
The village, largely destroyed, suffered harsh winters that led elders to sacrifice their lives to spare resources for children.
Navy officials acknowledged the apology was long overdue, aligning with the Tlingit oral tradition and honoring their account.
Angoon has worked to preserve its heritage and develop ecotourism, celebrating Tlingit culture, rich wildlife, and natural beauty.

Deep Look

One hundred forty-two years after the U.S. Navy bombarded the Tlingit village of Angoon in southeastern Alaska, the Navy formally apologized for the destruction that left villagers destitute and led to a deadly winter for survivors. Rear Adm. Mark Sucato delivered the long-awaited apology on Saturday in Angoon, marking the October 26 anniversary of the attack. “The Navy recognizes the pain and suffering inflicted upon the Tlingit people, and we acknowledge these wrongful actions,” Sucato stated, addressing the historical trauma endured by Angoon’s community.

The 1882 assault on Angoon decimated the village, destroying 12 clan houses, canoes, and critical winter food supplies. The attack left villagers to endure the coming winter without adequate shelter or resources, forcing the elderly to sacrifice their lives for the survival of the young. While Angoon received a $90,000 settlement in 1973, Tlingit leaders have long sought an apology, initiating every remembrance ceremony by asking, “Is there anyone here from the Navy to apologize?”

Historical Background and the U.S. Navy’s Role

The attack on Angoon took place amid ongoing conflicts between Alaska Native communities and U.S. military forces in the years following the United States’ acquisition of Alaska from Russia in 1867. The catalyst for the assault on Angoon was the accidental death of Tith Klane, a Tlingit shaman employed by North West Trading Co., who died when a harpoon gun malfunctioned on a whaling ship. According to Tlingit tradition, the tribe requested a compensation payment of 200 blankets for Klane’s life—a customary practice in Tlingit culture.

In the Navy’s version of events, the request was interpreted as an aggressive act, and there were claims that hostages were taken. Angoon’s tribal leaders assert that the Tlingit never took hostages, only observing their traditions, and they view the demand for compensation as a cultural practice misunderstood by outsiders. E.C. Merriman, Alaska’s senior U.S. Navy commander, demanded that the Tlingit provide 400 blankets by noon the following day—a doubling of the original request. When the villagers managed to gather only 81 blankets, Merriman ordered the shelling of Angoon, destroying much of the village and its resources.

The attack, though brief, left a lasting impact. Without adequate food and shelter, the villagers faced a deadly winter. Six children perished immediately, and countless elderly villagers succumbed to cold and hunger as the winter progressed. Survivors recount that some elders “walked into the forest,” meaning they left to die alone to spare food for the children.

Reflections from Angoon’s Leaders and the Tlingit Community

Saturday’s ceremony, broadcasted from Angoon, marked a historic moment for the Tlingit people. Daniel Johnson Jr., a current tribal head in Angoon, highlighted the significance of the apology, saying it addressed a painful question that generations had asked. “You can imagine the generations of people that have died since 1882 that have wondered what had happened, why it happened, and wanted an apology,” he said.

Village leaders, who had long sought acknowledgment from the Navy, found themselves momentarily speechless when the Navy revealed via a Zoom call in May that an apology was planned. “No one spoke for five minutes,” Johnson recalled, describing the collective shock and emotion. Eunice James, a descendant of Tith Klane, expressed hope that this apology would help her family and the Tlingit community heal, adding that she believed her ancestor’s spirit would be present at the ceremony. “Not only his spirit will be there, but the spirit of many of our ancestors, because we’ve lost so many,” she said.

Angoon’s Present and the Navy’s Recognition of Tlingit Tradition

Today, Angoon has rebuilt as a quiet village of roughly 420 people, nestled in the vast Tongass National Forest. Accessible by ferry or floatplane, the village features vibrant homes and totem poles and draws visitors to its ecotourism offerings, which include salmon fishing and wildlife watching in an area abundant with eagles, bears, and whales. The legacy of the attack, however, endures in local memory and annual commemorations. The yearly ceremony honoring those lost has included an unanswered call for a Navy apology until this year, when Rear Adm. Sucato’s words offered a measure of closure.

The Navy’s apology joins a broader acknowledgment of similar past actions taken against Alaska Native communities. Recently, the Navy apologized for its 1869 destruction of Kake, a nearby village, and the U.S. Army has stated plans to apologize for its shelling of Wrangell in that same year. Navy spokesperson Julianne Leinenveber acknowledged the trauma caused by these historic actions and stated, “An apology is not only warranted but long overdue.” Leinenveber noted that the Navy defers to the Tlingit account of events, respecting the tribe’s oral history and understanding of the attack’s impacts.

Moving Forward: The Power of Acknowledgment in Healing

Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, described the self-sacrifice of Angoon’s elders, who “walked into the forest” to preserve food for the young. This story of survival and resilience remains central to the Tlingit narrative, passed down through generations. Worl explained that the apology brings long-awaited recognition to a community that endured immense loss, both in lives and in cultural heritage.

Despite conflicting accounts between the Navy’s written history and the Tlingit’s oral tradition, the Navy has honored the tribe’s perspective on the events. Worl emphasized that while the apology cannot erase the pain of 1882, it holds the potential to ease the burden carried by descendants and to foster understanding and respect between the U.S. military and Alaska Native communities.

The Navy’s apology may also set a precedent for further reconciliation efforts as Indigenous groups across the United States seek acknowledgment of historical wrongs. For the people of Angoon, this apology symbolizes a step forward in preserving the memories of those lost and validating the village’s resilience in the face of profound hardship. As Angoon’s leaders reflect on the impact of this acknowledgment, they see it as an affirmation of their identity and history, honoring the memory of their ancestors and fostering a path toward healing.