The Navy’s formal apology was presented by Rear Admiral Mark B. Sucato.
Among the several delegate dignitaries present was Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, who is also the Vice Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
In a press release, Senator Murkowski, a long-time advocate for this formal apology, said she has heard directly from the leadership of the respective villages and clans about the pain and suffering that was inflicted on the Tlingit people by this bombardment and how generations later, it continues to affect the community.
“It was incredible to be present at this ceremony to witness the United States military’s historic apology for the devastating 1869 bombardment of Kake. I have heard for many years how the people of Kake have not been able to heal from the trauma of the Navy’s attack. Families have shared the stories of the destruction, which led to deaths among children and elders. These families have had to live with that sadness and unresolved trauma for too long,” said Senator Murkowski. “One of the cultural values the people of Kake carry is spiritual and cultural balance. When trying to find that balance, apologies need to be made, to say ‘I am sorry, we failed you.’ While far overdue, it is appropriate now that our military offered this apology to the people of Kake for their loss. I commend the clan leaders in Kake for their humble acceptance of the Navy’s apology, and hope that this acknowledgment will promote healing from the intergenerational trauma caused by the United States government’s mistakes. It was my great honor to have worked alongside the community of Kake to advocate for this historic event.”
The ceremony was overseen by Joel Jackson, the president of the Organized Village of Kake, who spoke to the Navy’s historic injustice and the need for an apology for the community to truly heal.
“This has been 155 years in the making,” said President Jackson. “We know we lost people that day. And it’s becoming real. Becoming real, because we never talked about it. And now we are.”
At the ceremony, the community of Kake displayed a number of historical and traditional items – including tools, art, a hand-carved canoe, and regalia – to help impress upon others the significance of what was truly lost, in addition to human lives due to the Navy’s attack. Mike Jackson, Transportation Director, Historian, and Chief Judge for the OVK Tribal Court, explained that this loss included totem poles. He introduced Robert Mills, a Tlingit artist and a lifelong resident of Southeast Alaska, who calls the village of Kake his home. He presented one portion of a three-segment totem pole that serves as a vignette of the Naval attacks in Kake, Wrangell, and Angoon.
“The next iteration of Raven will be ascending above all this. And he’s going to be bringing up people – culture bearers, language speakers, artists – because the truth is we’re champions. And this doesn’t define us. And we are ascending it all, and our culture is leading the way,” said Mills. “Time and time again, for thousands of years, we’ve championed many difficulties and hardships, and this is no different. We are not victims; we are champions, and our focus is where we’re going and where we’re going to continue to grow and prosper.”
“All of our five houses, we accept this apology,” said Dr. Ruth Demmert. “We, as Kaach.ádi, accept this apology, which is long overdue. Our ancestors went through lots to keep this whole thing going. We are still here as the generations. And for the future generations, this place will always be home. Gunalchéesh, United States Navy, for your late apology.”
Following Dr. Demmert’s speech, representatives of many other clans stood to accept the Navy’s apology and offer their reflections. President Jackson, on behalf of the Organized Village of Kake, also accepted the Navy’s apology.
The communities of Angoon and Wrangell have also sought apologies for many years from the military for the destruction of their villages that occurred in 1882 and 1869. The Navy is scheduled to deliver a formal apology to the community of Angoon on October 26, 2024, the 142nd anniversary of the 1882 bombardment.
The full ceremony can be viewed in a recording by Sealaska Heritage Institute here.