Six Children Killed in U.S. Navy Bombardment of Angoon
On this day 144 years ago, the U.S. Navy bombed the Lingít village of Angoon on Admiralty Island near Juneau, killing at least six children and destroying clan houses, food caches, and canoes. The 1882 attack followed the death of a Tlingit shaman aboard an American whaling ship and a subsequent hostage-taking incident. Commander E.C. Merriman then shelled and burned the village in October 1882.
Historic Apology Acknowledges Intergenerational Trauma
Two years ago, U.S. Navy representatives formally apologized to the village for the deadly shelling. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark Sucato issued the apology in 2024, acknowledging the wrongful actions that inflicted lasting intergenerational trauma on the community.
The formal acknowledgment stands as one of several apologies sought by Alaska Native communities, including a similar reckoning in Kake.
Student Filmmakers Capture Community Healing
Eighteen-year-old Angel Jack attended the 2024 apology and collaborated with high school peers to create short films capturing what the moment meant for Angoon. Jack created her film, titled “Healing Through Time,” with support from See Stories, a nonprofit leading digital media workshops for youth across Alaska.
“Sharing the history of my community is very important to me because there’s a lot of history in these villages around Southeast, and a bunch of people don’t know about it,” Jack said in an interview.
Last year, the Hawai’i International Film Festival presented an award to Jack’s documentary, which was also showcased at the Banff Mountain Film Festival. The project features interviews with tribal leader Matthew Carlson, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark Sucato, and community member Keagan Hasselquist.
National Recognition for Naval History Projects
Parallel student research efforts have also earned national attention. At the National History Day national contest in Washington, D.C., the Naval History Award was presented to River Zaochney and teammate Wesley Gruenhagen. The pair’s history project traced the origins of the 1882 attack, competing against roughly 3,000 competitors to secure one of 20 special honors. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan discussed the project and the apology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the 1882 Navy attack on Angoon?
The bombardment was ordered by Commander E.C. Merriman in October 1882 following the death of a Tlingit shaman aboard an American whaling ship and a subsequent hostage-taking incident.
Who provided support for Angel Jack’s award-winning film?
Jack made her short film with support from See Stories, a nonprofit organization that runs digital media workshops for youth across Alaska.
Which students received the Naval History Award in Washington, D.C.?
River Zaochney and Wesley Gruenhagen received the Naval History Award at the National History Day national contest for their project tracing the Angoon attack.
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