Life in the Village: Chapter 4

Artist’s impression of how it may have looked from the village site overlooking Coral Cove (Corral Harbor) when Russians and Alaska Natives were on the island hunting sea otters. Illustration by Michael Ward.

A storm approaches as the otter hunters prepare to leave the island. Chief Chowig and the villagers, including Karana and her sister Ulape, watch as otter pelts are loaded onto the ship’s rowboat. The chief and Captain Orlov meet on the shore, and the captain signals to his men to bring a large box from the ship.

A black chest is delivered to Chief Chowig, and he is shown the bead necklaces inside. He reacts angrily, telling Captain Orlov that one box of jewelry is not enough for all the otters that were killed. The chief demands that the captain bring him three more boxes, or he will prevent the hunters from leaving with the last of the otter skins.

A fight breaks out between the otter hunters and the villagers and many village men are killed. The storm brings high winds and the hunters leave the island for their ship. The dead and wounded Ghalas-at men lie on the beach at Coral Cove. From their cliff-top view, the women had seen the fight and now run down the trail to assist the wounded.

Fact Check: Conflict

Was there a conflict/fight between the Russians and Alaska Natives and the island people? 

What do we know?
A conflict did occur in 1814, after the arrival of the Il’mena.  

What is the evidence?
Primary source: Read an excerpt from a letter I.A. Kuskov writes to the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Colonies in America. The letter describes the arrival of the Il’mena at San Nicolas Island and an “altercation,” or fight, that broke out between the islanders and the ship’s men in 1814.

Secondary source: In Voices from the Field, researcher Susan Morris describes events that took place on San Nicolas Island in the early 1800s (nineteenth century).

Secondary source: An excerpt from an article written by Susan Morris and other researchers summarizes violent interactions between the Spanish, Russians, Americans, California Natives, and Alaska Natives in 1814 and 1815.

Voices from the Field

Susan Morris, historical researcher, discusses documents written by Russian American Company officers in the early 1800s (nineteenth century) that describe the fight between the Russian-led hunting group and the island people

Photos & Multimedia

Historic photo: Skins of sea otters, Unalaska Island, Alaska, 1892. By Stefan Claesson.

Teacher Resources

Writing Prompts and Lesson Plans