Discussion of Traditional Watercraft, Hunting Ethics, Russian Colonial Impacts, and Warfare Practices

Berlin Ethnological Museum (Contributor)
Chugach Alaska Corporation (Contributor)
Chugach Heritage Foundation (Contributor)
Chugachmiut (Contributor)
John F.C. Johnson (Contributor)
William Smith (Contributor)
Chugachmiut Heritage Repository
John Johnson describes the use of large open skin boats—known elsewhere as umiaks—for transporting warriors, families, and entire villages between seasonal camps. He notes that the appearance of many people in such boats often signaled impending or active conflict. Bill Smith speaks about the importance of showing respect to animals taken in the hunt, minimizing their suffering, and returning unused fish parts to the ocean, as taught by his mother. Johnson shares that animals were traditionally believed to have spirits and references a work of art featuring a sea otter face in its chest to illustrate this. He contrasts these beliefs with Russian colonial practices, noting that sea otter carcasses were once buried or returned to the ocean, but that Russians did not uphold such customs. Johnson adds that sea otter meat is not consumed today, though it may have been historically. Smith wonders if this was due to Russian coercion. Johnson explains that Nuchek was both a Russian fort and one of the region’s oldest prehistoric sites. He and Smith discuss the legacy of Indigenous enslavement under Russian rule and its impact on communities, as well as Tlingit resistance movements. Johnson also refers to deceptive potlatches used as a tactic of warfare, though details are unclear.
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April 28 2023
Born Digital
2023.010.311.MP4
Early Russian Colonization Period, Hunting (General), Subsistence Values
Copyright 2023 Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation
Nuuciq/Nuchek (Related)