During a ceremony, R Adm Mark B Sucato delivered an apology for the US Navy's attack on the Alaska Native village of Kake in 1869. This moment marks 155 years of unacknowledged suffering, highlighting the importance of addressing historical traumas within native communities.
Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake, emphasized the significance of this historic apology, stating, 'It's becoming real because we never talked about it and now we are.' This statement reflects a broader movement for recognizing past injustices.
The military's bombarding actions in the 1800s were driven by a reaction to local disputes, but these decisions led to irrevocable harm to the Lingit community such as the destruction of shelters and food supplies. Jackson noted that while no lives were lost during the winter bombardments, the consequent starvation caused many deaths.
This first apology by the military is part of a larger effort to confront historic aggression against Alaska Native people, culminating in another planned ceremony for the 142nd anniversary of Angoon's bombardment, emphasizing the ongoing process of healing.
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