Module VII-American Period: Society

How have the ways Alaskans have devised education and health care systems been both a reflection social-cultural norms of the dominant culture as well as a response to the challenges of providing services in a vast geographic area?

Treadwell School, Douglas Island, Alaska 1915
http://vilda.alaska.edu/u?/cdmg21,14756

The provision of education and health care in Alaska are closely related. Health care and education in Alaska's history was introduced with Western ideals but evolved as government became more formalized and local control was increased.  Religious missionaries played a key role in early education and health care efforts.   The state was divided up by Christian Missions and specific churches dominated regions, such as the Presbyterians in the Arctic and Southeast Alaska, and the Catholic Church in the lower and middle Yukon River areas.  Schools were also set up by companies in developing centers such as mining towns.  The geography of Alaska began with service provided primarily in population centers with available transportation and supplies, initially through the military. 

Medicine Man with Sick Woman
Vilda ASL-P208-107

The relationship between health and education was formalized in the early 1900's as the Bureau of Education was charged with improving rural health care, which included the building of Alaska Native Hospitals. Epidemics of influenza and tuberculosis swept though Alaska and killed or caused physical harm to large numbers of Alaskans.  These diseases decimated the Native population.  Cross cultural contacts to provide western medicine to Alaska Native meant understanding their belief system of disease as spiritual and shamanistic healing practices.  Isolation and quarantine centers became important to prevent the spread of disease.  Native Alaskans were removed again from their culture and land.  

A nurse on the vessel Hygiene explains tuberculosis. 
Vilda  ASL-143-0283

The US Public Health Service took over in the 1950's extending care and access to immunizations to rural residents by pubic health care nurses.  Care across vast areas of Alaska is weather dependent and transportation costs are high.  Health care expanded with the public health service nurses establishing care in more remote areas.  Early health care efforts surrounded providing care for the diseases introduced to the Native populations that had no immunity, including  influenza and tuberculosis. The government supplied many of the early public services including medical care and education with public building projects.  In 1905,  Congress created the Alaska Fund which designated license fees to be collected from non-incorporated towns.  25% of these collected funds were designated for schools, and 5% were to go towards treatment of the mentally ill.  Funding sources for education increased as Alaska government formed, including municipal, borough, territorial, federal and eventually state funding.  Alaska's territorial government began in 1913 which began increased voice of Alaskans within federal legislation. Territorial legislation included compulsory education for all Alaskan children and early public health in the form of vital statistics. Labor laws were also introduced.   Alaska became a state in 1959 and representation in the legislature began to expand beyond all white and male to include Natives and women.  The executive branch included departments dedicated to health and education.  The development of organized government with increased local control in Alaska helped shape health and education efforts to meet the specific needs of the Alaskans over time. 

BIA School, Yakutat, Alaska, 1913-1939
Vilda ASL-P55-100

In 1905, Congress passed the Nelson Act, which established education for white children as well as "children of mixed-blood who live civilized lives" outside of urban areas access to education, under the Bureau of Education.  Bureau of Education/Bureau of Indian Affairs was responsible for Rural Education until the mid 1980's.  Laws were passed with compulsory education and attendance. Teachers initially were white women, with the Bureau of Education encouraging Alaska Native women to become teachers, which some did.   The schools were formed to replicate systems in the lower 48 of the US. Early curricula included reading, composition, handwriting, civics and mathematics as mentioned in Alaska History and Cultural Studies.    The high cost of this educational system was and still is a major factor in Alaska.

Three Art Students, Wrangell Institute, Wrangell Alaska 1937
VILDA ASL-P360-1135 

Education in the form of public schools is a western notion that was introduced to Alaska.  It prohibited Alaska Natives from speaking their native language and adopt English. This process of assimilation included eliminating Native cultural beliefs, values and traditions.  The world view of the white settlers was imposed and presented as superior, with the concept of shame and fear being associated with the Native sense of self.    The school year from September to May impacted Native subsistence cycles.   Early education was seen as a process of assimilation of Natives to western ideals and values.  Education for rural students beyond eighth grade meant boarding school education in locales far away from the student's family, land and culture.  The Molly Hootch lawsuit forced rural education for high school in rural areas 30 years ago, which increased high school graduation rates. The impact of western education to Native culture had many devastating impacts and it's legacy continues today.

Harborview  Elementary Students Surround Tlingit Elder
Selina Everson
Juneau, Alaska   Juneau Empire

Paul Ongtooguk has a beautiful quote that encapsulates the strength and resiliency as Native Alaskans continue to assert their culture through education: "Education and self determination is an issue central to the future success or failure of Alaska Native peoples. The very existence of Natives as distinct peoples within Alaska depends on the next generation of Alaska Natives being aware of and connecting to their cultural heritage.  Knowledge not passed down from generation to generation is at risk for being lost forever." He continues to write about the history and continued need for education to continue to embed Alaska Native values and culture and the Alaska Native community must guide educators in how to accomplish this.  "They must know that their cultural heritage is linked, over thousands of years, to  who they are today and who they will become."

Examine:

Describe various forms of recreation in Alaska.  Explain whether or not these are a particular Alaska variant of these types of recreation.

Recreation in Alaska by early settlers were similar to the Russian settlers.  These indoor and outdoor activities were also similar to Americans in other parts of the country who had a winter season.  Indoor activities included parlor activities, such as board games, concerts and plays. Indoor sporting events such as basketball, which communities organized and building were built around.  Social clubs were also popular early in the American period with memberships based on pioneer status or early immigration, such as the Pioneer clubs.  Outdoor activities were popular and included dog mushing, skating, skiing, camping, hiking and mountain climbing.  Community celebrations around historical events and Independence   Day gained popularity and continue today, as with the recently celebrated Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage.

Gold Medal Basketball Tourney, Juneau, Alaska
Juneau Empire

Alaska Folk Festival Poster
by Morgan Davis Alaska Folk Festival

There are certainly variants of these activities that are uniquely Alaskan.  These include the Arctic Winter Games that celebrate and incorporate traditional Native sport.   Dog sled races, such as the Iditarod, bring Alaskans attention statewide to the  excitement of this extreme sport as it passes through small northern communities. There are many examples of Alaska variants near my home in Southeast Alaska.   In Juneau this week, the city becomes a gathering place for villages in Southeast Alaska for a week long basketball tournament.  This annual event has taken place for 65 years and is an important cultural activity for Native and non-native families to gather.  Salmon derbies in Southeast Alaska have traditionally created a sense of community and friendly competition.  Another important variant of recreation in Southeast Alaska is the annual Alaska Folk Festival.  Started as a small venue to allow musicians to share their music, it now attracts performers from around Alaska and increasingly more from the lower 48 and internationally. It is a unique festival in that it is free and supported through voluntary membership.  It's culture is one of openness to all levels of musicianship with emphasis on community.  Musician's continually remark that nowhere else in the world is there a festival such a welcoming sense of community as the Alaska Folk Festival.   

Author's daughter on her first solo kayak in Southeast Alaska

Recreation continues to be an important element in Alaskan life today.  The opportunities for outdoor exploration in wild and beautiful places was the major draw for my immigration to Alaska 20 years ago.  Outdoor gear has been a theme and particular variant to to my life here.  It seems that having four or five different pairs of skis allows you to access different areas and take advantage of changing conditions. Around Juneau, boat travel has seemed essential for "road trips" to explore the waterways and islands.  Of course, several types of boats are handy for different distances, types of travel, travelling with babies, or fishing.  Then there are the ice skates when the lakes freeze over, the shed of fishing and crabbing gear, backpacks, climbing equipment, tents, sleeping bags and mountain bikes.  With this must come outerwear that allows you to be safe and comfortable in wet and cold weather, including down, dry suits, wet suits, rain gear, woolens, and and insulting layers.  

Colleague's Blogs

Heather's blog had nice associations between transportation in Alaska and her reflections on the essential transportation needs of her community in Wrangell. 


Peter made an interesting point in the "extend" section regarding the extreme costs of mail delivery to Alaska compared to other areas.  I, too, think about the  impacts to economic development in Alaska that may prevent our presence with customers "down south."


Really enjoyed Brad's journal entry format as a way to visit and explore the early immigrant experience to Alaska!  Wondering if you have a similar experience in your recent move here as you explain to your family and friends in the lower 48 your motivations to come to Alaska.  My family has stopped asking the question "When are you coming home?" after almost 20 years here

Reflections

I was especially struck by the stories and writings related to the Alaska education system and it's impact on Alaska Natives.  Through my work with families in Southeast, I was reminded of the stories they have told about their experiences with leaving their villages to attend boarding school and the harsh punishment for speaking their language.  As a language therapist, I continually think about the child I work within the context of family, culture and history and the content of the course strengthens my understanding of the impact.  I also found the content empowering as an educator and my need to continually  support and invite self determination into my work.   

Module VI  American Period: Transportation & Communication

Essential Question
What are the issues facing Alaska today related to transportation and communication?
From previous study in this course we have taken a closer look at the relationships between the land, people and culture over time in Alaska. Development in these areas have historically been closely tied to economic development and a combination of natural forces and economic development continue to impact these systems today. Development of transportation and communication are essential for Alaska to continue to be vital in the 21st century. 

Century old whaling boat on the Beaufort Sea Coast in 2007 with
 erosion.  USGS

Alaska's geography continues to present challenges to establish and maintain transportation and communication. Weather, isolation and seasonal nature of work cycles affect cost.  Alaska's extensive coastline continues to be a major supply route with 80% of supplies for Alaska arriving by sea.  Changes in global weather patterns have caused eroding coastlines and port stability, and will  continue to force Alaska to prepare for these changes.    






 Location of Alaska for maritime travel is advantageous as Northwest passage routes increase, as will the needed ports for fuel and supplies on northern points of the Alaska coast. Global warming and changes in permafrost are impacting stability of road beds.  The high cost of maintenance in Alaska is a major issue today and is being debated in the legislature as questions of priorities are deliberated.    Anchorage airport is a  major source of worldwide cargo airline traffic. In the rapidly changing world of communication, Alaska faces the question of equity in rural versus urban access to resources.  Broadband Internet communication has expanded but is not yet available in all areas of Alaska. This mode of communication has become increasingly important in education and economic development, and access to these resources allow is critical to remain 

Ina Bouker, Yupik Native and teacher.  "The salmon always run 

but if their habitat is destroyed, they will not come back." 

Michael Melford (photo), National Geographic 

The photo to the left illustrates an issue faced by Alaska Natives today in the face of the development of the Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay region.  
Mine developers promote the benefits in economic development,  including transportation and communication.  The local residents continue to debate the impacts of a mine on the environment in this important location cultural heritage and salmon producing region.










Examine Question
What were the factors that prompted the growth of communication systems in Alaska?


The Alaska communications system evolved it's uses for personal and commercial purposes in 1938, the system was named ACS or Alaska Communication Systems.   Local telephones service in the late 1800's transitioned to long distance service developing for non-military purposes.  World War II led to rapid expansion in telecommunications   enhanced with underwater cable systems. Radio, television, phone and satellite transmissions increased Alaskans the ability to communicate between large geographic  regions.  Air service establishment in Alaska in the beginning in the  1920's increased the possibility of more rapid communication from location to location, especially in rural locales without telegraph. Privatization of radio and television allowed commercial and public communication to the general population for news and entertainment. 

The question asks "What prompted growth in communication systems in Alaska?" and this begs a look at not only  the technological advances, but the rapid changes in the indigenous cultures of Alaska affected by communication advances. Traditional communication was primarily oral and communication between villages and tribes was face to face or through messaging along trade routes. Following first contact with the Russians, the Native people were swept into a broader and more complex communication system, with laws and rules stated and recorded in written form.   Native civil rights was highly dependent on communication. Review of the resources in this module consistently weaved the importance of communication for Native Alaskans to assert their civil rights from the first Russian contacts.

Alaska Natives Fight for Civil Rights, on the Alaska History and Cultural Studies website,  early communication played a role in this battle.  Language barriers and the need to communicate across cultures was needed to have an organized effort and unified "voice."  Adaptation and resilience  was pointed out in our  readings as necessary for survival.   Access to Western documents, such as laws, petitions, and maps required Natives to enter this system and document and assert their rights. The role of the Russian Orthodox Church in assistance with asserting Native rights of the Aleut people through communication systems was also highlighted. 
  

This clip from the video Aleut Story, allows the communication of a people's history through the use of modern communication-broadband Internet communications.  A teaching resource is available with lesson plans to hear the voices and voices of ancestors through stories of hardships with first contacts.  This may lead to a nice link for students to consider the link between these stories, civil rights and the need to continued use of communication technology.. 




Extend Question

What essential questions would you include in this module? Why?  

I continue to consider the possibilities of preservation of culture and the use of advancing communication technology to allow increased access, preservation and education efforts.  An essential question might be:  


How can advances in communication technology be used to preserve and perpetuate Native Alaskan culture and language? What role do educators play in preparing students to combine communication technology and knowledge of their own culture?


The consistent thread of communication as vital to the preservation of culture and rights as are the possibilities for it's future uses.  Examples of  where communication technology is being used to preserve and perpetuate knowledge and use of Alaska Native Languages:


ANKN
Sealaska Heritage Institute
Alaska Native Language Archive, UAF
Talking Alaska

Colleague's Blogs


Learned more about current issues facing the Kuskokwim region in Dancing Light through  her very thorough extend question. 


Lane's blog had a great photo of his moving to Alaska and in my head compared it to all the archive photos of the Klondike era with miners surround by their piles of supplies.  I was also struck with the photo and mention of the Exxon Valdez as part of Alaska's dependence on oil and our need to protect and develop natural resources. 


Crystal pointed out local development surrounding mining in her area on her well organized blog.  It is interesting to visit communities through other's blogs as see the common threads within current issues that Alaska faces.  


Reflection

This week I embedded my first video into this blog and felt more confident with the blogging process.   Then went to embed a few more pictures in my final editing and sadly lost most of my blog entries.  I feel I am gaining a great deal of information, resources and connections in this class which I struggle to reflect in my writing due to the time I spend dealing with formatting issues.  


The parallels of the forces that impact development over time in Alaska continue to be striking and I find myself seeing these relationships more easily.  As we looked closer at communication, I felt the need for more information regarding written and symbolic communication of Native groups in Alaska pre-contact.  

Module V-  American Period: Alaska's Economy

Essential Question

What have been the major components of the Alaska economy during the American Period of 1867 to present?
Westward expansion to the new American frontier in 1867 with more than 30 ships travelling to Sitka in 1867 to seek a new life with hopeful opportunities. The original white settlers came because of military assignments, while others came to establish trade and commerce. The natural resources drew others with visions of vast wealth to be made of fishing, mining, furs, and prospecting.  The US Army and other government department began it's expansion into Alaska in this early period.  It's activities included surveying and establishing economic rule of the waters and resources along the coast. As the Russians left Sitka and the military presence declined, an increased number of fortune seekers arrived and stimulated the economy with the supplies needed to support their new endeavors in the Last Frontier. Providing goods and supplies to the Natives in Southeast Alaska was another source of economic opportunity. 

Miners, Dyea Valley near Skagway, Alaska
Travelling to the Gold Fields

Meanwhile, the vast areas of Alaska to the north were explored through whaling, gold prospecting, and explorers mapping and recording their adventures.  Exploration continued through the river systems into the interior, some with the aide of Native guides. Personal stories of adventure, hardship and success have been recorded and interactions with the Natives provide some history of early contact.  

By 1900, the major waterways and mountain ranges of Alaska were explored and mapped. This attracted the attention of increased number of Americans as well as the US government. 


As the expansion continued, key locations were used for communication and transportation centers.  These were important as support centers to allow people to make the arduous journey and stay clothed, fed, and sheltered.  These communities also provided transportation links that often involved varied travel methods including horseback, wagons, canoes, steam ship, train, dog sled, and foot travel.  I am reminded of the town of Skagway, up Lynn Canal from my home and imagine the late 19th and early 20th century scene as prospectors and entrepreneurs travelled through this route.  I had the pleasure of hiking the Chilkoot pass and recall the hundreds of artifacts dotting the trails edge as evidence of the mass of people passing through on their gold prospecting. 

Trans Alaska Pipeline

Following the gold rush, the population stabilized in the 1910s and jobs were available in fish processing, construction and mining.  Alaska saw a surge again in population during World War II where Alaska had many projects to support the war effort from key bases in Alaska.  Having worked in Yakutat and seeing the enormous runways and hangers are reminders of a past existence.  In the 1970's the oil boom on the North Slope began another population swell.  This "black gold" turned Alaska into one of the nations richest states with it's revenues funding 88% of the state's revenue. 


The population in Alaska grew from 2000 in 1867 to 65,000 in 1910 and then to over 128,000 by 1950. The current population of Alaska is around 722,000.  According to the US Census Bureau, the population in the US has increased in the past ten years by 9.7% while in Alaska the increase has been 13.3%.


As I consider the idea of Alaska continuing to have the status of a colony, the economic past and future could demonstrate this definition with outsiders migrating to establish outposts of opportunity and prosperity.   Alaska continues to offer vast areas of natural resources.  Relatively new opportunities for development include new shipping channels through the Northwest Passage due decreased sea ice that previously preventing passage of ships.  Scientific endeavors in energy development though geothermal, solar, natural gas, wave energy and wind could be on Alaska's horizon. The debate continues of opening ANWR to oil exploration.  Food sources through fish and land based animals  as well as  produce are available to feed a growing global population.  This possibility of resource development invites booms and frenzies as entrepreneurs scramble to gain access to the resources.   Future regulatory and economic efforts combined with Native Rights and environmental science may change the pace and prevent exploitation of culture and the environment. As educators, we certainly play a role in helping students learn of Alaska's past history as a way of hopefully aiding in making more informed and wise decisions in the future.  

Examine Question
What has been, over time, the pattern of development of Alaska's fur trapping, commercial sealing, whaling and fishing?

                Aleut Seal Hunters on Board
Ship with Hunting Equipment,  Alaska, 1898
University of Washington

The industries fur trapping, sealing, whaling and fishing were major economic draws in the American period beginning as early as 1840.  American companies took over Russian fur companies and expanded into the interior.  The Americans had an open trading system and dealt with individuals, which meant increased contact with individual Natives.Trading of western items increased and demand for goods by the Natives such as tobacco, sugar, flour and knives, became common staples.  The Natives were not always reimbursed in a "fair trade" model, with furs demanding a high market price and traded at low amounts.  The Alaska Commercial Company initially dominated the fur scene in Alaska, with other companies joining the market over time.  World War I increased interest and demand in furs in the U.S.  By the 1920's fur bearing animals declined, partially due to over trapping.  Changes in technology, including trap design, aviation, snow mobiles changed the methods and impacted those dependent on income as trappers. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game was established at statehood and regulated the industry, regulating and  protecting the resource. 

Salmon Cannery on Karluk River, Kodiak, Alaska
State of Alaska Guide

Commercial fishing by Americans was active before transfer of the territory from the Russians in the the mid to late 1800's.  Cod was the dominate species pursued due to it's high value for oil.  By the turn of the 19th century, salmon canneries were dominate to meet the demand by Americans for canned salmon.  in 1917, half of the world's canned salmon was produced by 118 canneries in Alaska. Many of the companies were owned by companies from outside of Alaska.  The evolution of trapping methods changed from traps to gill nets and seines-land based methods to those requiring boats and equipment. The canneries demanded a large workforce, hiring recent immigrants from China, the Philippines, Mexico, and Japan.  Technology was introduced to the canning operations, but jobs continued to be in high demand.   Decline in the industry was seen during both World Wars. Fishing expanded to crabbing and halibut and eventually ground fish. Fishing was only second in economic prosperity to the oil industry in Alaska by 1980.  By statehood in 1959, fisheries management was put into  state control, which affected subsistence, fishing methods and harvests.  

Arctic Whaler Trapped in Ice, Early 1900's
VILDA ASL-P48-070

Whale baleen became more profitable the whale oil in 1870's.  Shore whaling operations by the Pacific Steam Company of San Francisco affected impacted the industry.  They imitated the Eskimo shore trapping allowing capture of whales when ships seasonally could not navigate the sea ice.   Eskimos began to work for these shore stations for pay.  Again, technology advancement brings change to the industry with introduction of the steam powered ships, allowing boats to remain on the whaling grounds without dependence on wind power and weather.  Train transportation and distribution of the catch to global markets moved centralized business efforts to San Francisco.  Methods for hunting whales as well as the introduction of factory ships changed the industry.  in 1937, the International Whaling Agreement was signed by the US, even though the only whaling at the time was Eskimo subsistence efforts. Controversies over whaling continued with assertion by the Eskimo Natives that whaling was integral to their culture and way of life, leading to allowances for Native quotas.  Whale hunters turned to walrus, another source of valuable oil. This impacted a major food source of Eskimos.  Fur seals were also hunted through the American Period and again over hunting was evident. Coastal Natives were greatly impacted by the presence of hunting and fishing companies.  The Aleuts organized and asserted their rights as commissions and restrictions became part of the industry.  They were granted citizenship in 1924 along with other Alaska Natives and had early forms of self government in 1934.  Sea otter hunting followed a similar fate of over hunting by the Americans and impacts to the coastal Natives lives.  Restrictions and bans were placed on the resource.  By the 1980's the population began to show recovery in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. 

The commonalities of resource development in Alaska for sea and land based animals used for food, oils, and fur evolved as American companies took over from the Russians. This rapid expansion often exploited Natives, brought the resources to low numbers, impacted the Native way of life. This was followed by various regulatory and government agencies involvement over time to protect the resource.  The Native response was again a defense of traditional ways of living and the importance of these economic resources as integral to their culture and being.  


Extend
Explore the economic base for Southeast Alaska and share any current issues confronting the local residents. 

Sea Otter, Glacier Bay, Alaska National Park Service

Sea otters continue to make a recovery in Coastal Alaska and evidence of this recovery is visible in Southeast Alaskan waters.  My family summers on an Island in the Inside Passage and discussion of sea otter sightings near our cabin have become a hot topic over the past two summers. Each summer the otters are spotted beyond Glacier Bay and Icy Straight and  advancing into Lynn Canal.  Last summer, rafts of otters were sighted in North Pass, three miles from our cabin. The balance between commercial, subsistence, and sport fishing will be affected by the return of the sea otter, as crab and other shellfish are their main food sources. Native hunting of the otters in this region may develop.  This may be a  smaller economic impact in Southeast Alaska than mining, for example, but I found the links between the history of the Russian fur trade and the return of the otter an example of "history at our doorsteps."  A local article in the Capital City Weekly highlights this issue of the sea otter's return.  

Colleague's Blogs
Robin's well organized blog had some interesting highlights of the numerous languages that some of the Russian immigrants used as they settled in Alaska.  The idea that "language is culture" shows the complexity of what defines culture for these immigrants. 


Chelsey's blog, Alaska Coast,  discussed some of the "loan words" from Russian that are found in the Yup'ik language to describe newly introduced items and foods.  


Found an intriguing comment from Peter Benoit  related to Russian Old Believers in the Mat-su Valley.  I have heard friends talk of living and working in Alaska with this culture and their challenges and rewards make me want to learn more.   


Reflections 
 The content of this module was very interesting and I was able to relate my experiences in Alaska directly with these historical events as I read. I found that the Russian to American period transition  filled with interesting details that could be used in a classroom environment through these digital resources.  

Module 4   Imperialism and Colonialism-The Russians and the Rest


What was the nature of cultural contact between the Europeans of Russian America and the Natives of Alaska?

Three Saints Bay, engraving by Luka Veronin, artist to the Billings-Sarychev expedition. 
Common Place

As highligted in Explore Alaska! blog, although this period of Russian contact  was relatively brief, the impact was significant to Alaska Natives, especially those Alaska Natives residing in the Aleutians, Southeast, and  South Central regions of Alaska.  The authors point out that the relationship between the Russians and Natives "ranged from devastating to mutually beneficial, depending on the date, degree and type of contact."

This was a time of global maritime exploration. New technologies in maritime travel allowed the west to dominate the New World. Over 60 Russian explorations were launched from first contact in 1741 to sale of the territory to the US in 1867. 

Aleut in Kayak offshore St. Paul Island with Russian Sailing ship in background.
 VILD ASL-P139-48from the Explore Alaska Blog 

The Russians explored east through Asia and across the Bering Sea to Alaska for the purposes of exploration and development.  The fur trade was a significant push in locating the wealth or resources along coastal Alaska. The Aleuts Natives were enslaved to capture and slaughter sea otter, while many of the women and children were harshly treated. Disease devastated the Natives who had no immunity to the diseases introduced by the explorers.

Book:
Where the Sea Breaks Its Back, Corey Ford

 Favorite book alert! This book has to be one of my most loved Alaska reads. It was an absolute page turner as I stayed up late in my tent each night on a three week kayak trip in Southeast Alaska.  Biologist  Corey Ford describes the journey of Steller and Bering on their second expedition of the Alaska coast in 1741.  Corey intertwines the natural history and impact on the sea otters that these contacts had by the Russians.   Emerging from my tent in the morning, I imagined their boat offshore, Bering mapping the coastline and islands and Steller begging for an on-shore excursion to sketch the flora at my feet.     Steller's first contact with wildlife on the Alaska coast.  It opened my awareness to the impact of the Russian's on Alaska  and it's continued impact on Alaska Natives.  

Through contact by the  Europeans of the Russian America Company, economic ventures and settlement in Alaska set into motion the profound impacts on Natives.   

What were some of the various economic ventures of the Russian America Company?

Settlement in Kodiak, Alaska, 1791. Russian America

Otter, fox and and seal furs were the primary early economic adventures of the Russian America Company.  These furs were precious resources to the Europeans and plentiful in the newly charted territory of Alaska. A decree was signed on July 8, 1799, by Russian Czar Paul I for a 20 year charter to operate the Russian America company.    This company secured a monopoly on the fur trade which extended from Alaska to California.  International trade was established with the Chinese, where furs were also a valuable commodity.  Over time, the Russian America company expanded their enterprises to schools, health care, training programs as well as supporting the missions of the Russian Orthodox church in Alaska. As settlements and outposts were established, the Western economic system was   established through central stores and trading posts for goods and services.  The Native way of subsistence was significantly affected.  As the sea otter population declined, the company turned it's sights to land based furs or the land otter and beaver, which pushed the hunters into the Kuskokwim River Delta of Southwest Alaska and into contact with the Eskimo people.  I was struck by the how the Russian Orthodox Church expanded into this area and a priest, Veniamanov, paved a new path of recognition of the Native culture and language and embedded this into educational efforts with the Native Alaskans.  Ventures continued to  expand to other resources, such as timber on Kodiak Island.

Sea Otter

I was impressed when reading about the emergence  civil rights by the Aleuts in response to the inhumane treatment by the Russian American company as a result of their economic ventures. Nearly 90% of the population was wiped out. Conversion to Russian Orthodoxy provided protections and many Aleuts converted to ensure their survival.  This response to me points out the rapid need of the Natives to learn, navigate and utilize the western systems to protect their livelihood. What sacrifices and hardships they had to endure in the face of this contact spurred by economic development.  This continues on today as Native Alaskans defend their culture and land in the face of the economic development of current oil, mining and other resource developments across Alaska. The Inupiat and Gwich'in people have been engaged in this debate over the drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). A  Gwich'in resource on the impact of modern development on Native land and culture can be found at Gwich'in steering committee that may be useful in the classroom for students to explore and compare the impact of the Russian American company and modern economic development.  

The Russian American Reader provides a nice overview for teachers to share this part of Alaska's history. I could envision an humanities type lesson for elementary students where students could research and make artifacts and costumes to re-enact this historical period as well as embed math/graphing referring to the decline of the Native population and sea otter population, mapping skills etc.    


Do you live or have you traveled in Alaska to an area that was influenced by the Russian America Company or the Russian Orthodox Church? 
I live in Juneau, Alaska, which to this day continues to have a small but active Russian Orthodox community.  Through my work with families, I have had the privilege of learning of their Russian Orthodox cultural and religious beliefs as I home visited and supported their child's development through their family's play, communication and daily routines.  Families shared their values and history through stories of their childhood and deep connections with their history and communities linked through the church.  

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Juneau Alaska.
Photo from University of Washington Libraries. 

Reflections/Evaluation
This unit on imperialism and colonialism brought up many connections to other courses I have taken in world history.  Having an opportunity to look at the direct impact that it had on Alaska and it's Native peoples was very interesting, especially as I reflect with the many stories and experiences I have had through my work with families.  As a language specialist, this deepening of understanding bolsters my work with communication as a critical aspect of "self."  Blogging is slowly becoming more comfortable and I was able to turn more attention to the content of the course this week.  I hope to resolve my continued formatting issues by connecting with colleagues.


Colleague's Blogs
Enjoyed Tina's well organized and thoughtful blog: Explore Alaska Times

Miss Mannen described how she used cultural comparison of her home in Kansas to that of her students in Alaska.


Appreciated Kristen's blog and quotes related to our current existence is influenced by the experiences of the peoples before us.