Native America Calling: U.S. Navy confronts ‘wrongful’ actions against Alaska villages

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The U.S. Navy is scheduled to formally apologize to Alaska Native residents of Angoon, Alaska, 142 years after they bombarded the village.

The Navy also just apologized to the residents of the Village of Kake for a similar assault some years earlier. Both deadly assaults on the villages came after the deaths of Tlingit residents prompting a series of escalating actions.

The shellings occurred during a time of tense interactions between Alaska Natives, the U.S. military and outside corporate interests. Navy and village leaders alike say the apologies will help healing these many years later.

Sealaska Heritage Institute: Tlingit Elder Cyril George, Sr., on Angoon Bombardment