Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/18/1998 05:17 PM House WTR
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SJR 38 - APOLOGY TO VILLAGE OF ANGOON REPRESENTATIVE BARNES announced the first order of business was SJR 38, Relating to the bombardment of the village of Angoon. REPRESENTATIVE BARNES called on Senator Jerry Mackie, sponsor of the resolution. Number 0076 SENATOR JERRY MACKIE, Alaska State Legislature, read the following sponsor statement: "I introduced SJR 38 to bring closure and finality to an incident that occurred in the early years of Alaska's territorial history that continues to be a painful memory to the people of Angoon. The incident was the naval attack that destroyed the village in the early winter of 1882. The action was caused by a dispute between the village and a whaling company over the accidental death of a tribal member in the company's employment. The U.S. Navy interceded by shelling and burning the village and its food stores. In addition to suffering injuries and loss of life, the residents of Angoon struggled to survive the difficult winter without adequate shelter or food supplies. "Memories and recollections of the injustice are still very much alive among residents of Angoon. Almost every family was deeply affected in some way from the death and destruction. It is the opinion of elders in the community that a simple apology by the U.S. government would bring closure and finality to the incident. It would redress long-standing feelings of disrespect and victimization by the federal government and its lack of acknowledging the unfortunate event. The resolution requests that President Clinton issue an apology to the people of Angoon." SENATOR MACKIE stated, having represented Angoon for the last eight years, it is a community that doesn't ask for anything. It is one of the most traditional communities in the state in regards to its appreciation of its culture, way of life, and families. It struck him when reading the many different accounts of what took place that there has never been an apology. The resolution does not talk about restitution which may bring varying degrees of opinions. SENATOR MACKIE further stated, after discussing the issue with the elders, an apology is a legitimate thing for the state to ask from the U.S. government. The passage of the resolution in the Senate with a unanimous vote, and the early hearing of the resolution in the House Special Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations has made the elders feel good. It still has a profound effect on them, even though it was a long time ago. Number 0350 REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT asked Senator Mackie whether there was any reason to exclude the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, from receiving a copy of the resolution. Number 0367 SENATOR MACKIE replied, "No." He would be happy to include any individuals to whom the committee members would like to have a copy sent. Number 0435 LEONARD JOHN, Associate Director, Kootznoowoo Cultural and Educational Foundation, testified in Juneau. The foundation is really glad that the committee is hearing the resolution today. He recently reflected on the 100-year commemoration of the incident that recognized the six lives lost. There is no way to put a dollar value on the loss. One of his grandfathers, Charlie John Senior, chose not to wear his regalia at the commemoration to signify that the hurt was still there. It was his grandfather's passion and desire to see the incident be brought to closure with the U.S. government in order to start healing. There have been a lot of lives impacted by the incident. Number 0560 REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS asked Mr. John whether his grandfather is still alive. MR. JOHN replied, "I wish he were." Number 0599 MAXINE THOMPSON, Mayor, city of Angoon, testified in Juneau. According to her understanding of what happened, it was a cultural misunderstanding. At the time of a wrong doing, the life of a high-ranking Tlingit is worth 200 blankets. Tlingits are known to have a value of property and significance of the position of a person. The incident was tied into the position of the person who died. The person was high-ranking with a value of 200 blankets put on his life, along with a two-day observation. Instead, the U.S. Navy was informed in Sitka that the Indians were operating and threatening to retaliate. The U.S. Navy boats did not immediately start shelling the community. They came to Angoon and waited offshore for two days talking to different individuals without an interpreter. The person in charge of the U.S. Navy at the time was not new to the area. The two other officers ahead of him had recognized the cultural ways of the people and honored them. This commander chose not to and demanded 400 blankets instead of the traditional 200. The community members could only come up with 81 blankets. The Navy tied the canoes up, chopped them then proceeded to shell the community houses that stored the winter food supply. The Navy also destroyed the totem poles and took some artifacts. If this is not put to rest, the story will continue to be passed down. Tlingits are well known for their protocol as part of their culture. The incident that remains unresolved dictates an apology, and it needs to come from the U.S. government. It does not reflect good on the U.S. government by leaving this unresolved for so long. She has a hard time as an American knowing that the Japanese sent to prison camps during the war have been acknowledged and granted payment for their suffering, while other U.S. citizens have yet to get an apology. The only thing that the people from Angoon received when they went to Washington D.C. was a sailor hat. She called it an insult. Number 0949 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked Senator Mackie whether he considered including language in the resolution to urge the U.S. government to erect a memorial for the lost lives. Number 0989 SENATOR MACKIE replied the people who went to Washington D.C. in 1982 to try to receive compensation to replace some of the clan houses received a token gesture. The Navy said it would consider naming one of its ships after the village in their memory. It never happened, however, and they returned with a Navy hat. The Kootznoowoo Corporation continues to work on the issue. He felt that a resolution asking for a simple apology would go a long way to help the people. The citizens of Angoon will probably continue to talk with Senator Stevens and the Navy for those types of options. He didn't want to identify any one particular option in the resolution. The citizens recognize that once the federal government acknowledges the incident their chances for something like that are better. SENATOR MACKIE further stated in no way shape or form is the resolution intended to be disrespectful to the U.S. armed forces. The incident took place a long time ago and things are done differently now. Number 1109 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT made a motion to insert the language "the Honorable Madeleine K. Albright, U.S. Secretary of State" after the word "States" on page 1, line 17. There being no objection, it was so moved. Number 1172 REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS made a motion and asked unanimous consent to move SJR 38, as amended, out of the committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, HCS SJR 38(WTR) was so moved from the House Special Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations. SJR 38 - APOLOGY TO VILLAGE OF ANGOON REPRESENTATIVE BARNES announced the committee will take up SJR 38 again to adopt the fiscal note. Number 1377 REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS made a motion to adopt the zero fiscal note for SJR 38(WTR). There being no objection, it was so adopted.
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