03/03/1998 03:40 PM Senate STA

             SJR 38 - APOLOGY TO VILLAGE OF ANGOON                             
                                                                               
SENATOR MACKIE, sponsor of SJR 38, presented the resolution as a               
means to bring closure to a painful incident in the history of                 
Angoon. On October 26, 1882 a naval bombardment destroyed the                  
village. This attack was the result of a dispute between the                   
village and a whaling company over the accidental death of a tribal            
member in the company's employ. The village and it's food stores               
were shelled and burned, causing widespread death and distruction.             
SENATOR MACKIE expressed the opinion of elders in the community                
that a simple apology by the federal government would bring closure            
to the incident and redress longstanding feelings of victimization             
and disrespect. The resolution requests that President Clinton                 
issue an apology to the people of Angoon. SENATOR MACKIE added that            
Angoon is one of the most culturally traditional village in the                
state and still deeply feels the effects of this incident.                     
                                                                               
MR. LEONARD JOHN, member of the Kootznoowoo Tribal Corporation,                
reported that the village was elated when they heard about this                
resolution. He reflected that 100 years is a long time to carry                
these memories and the heartache from this incident. He told of how            
the community and his family remembers the incident to this day and            
said he hopes for the resolution to bring closure.                             
                                                                               
SENATOR WARD moved SJR 38 out of committee with individual                     
recommendations. Without objection, it was so ordered. With no                 
further business to come before the committee, they were adjourned.