Culture & History
Dynamic Alaska Native culture and remants of the historic Russian era provide the major points of interest for the thousands of visitors that come to Sitka each year. However, Sitka also has other historic and cultural facets, such as its role as a major base of operations during World War II and its world renown Sitka Summer Music Festival.
First People
Sitka has been the home of the Tlingit people for over 10,000 years. Their rich history and culture remain a vibrant part of the community. The Name Sitka is derived from Sheet'ká, a contraction of the Tlingit name Shee At'iká, meaning "People on the Outside of Shee" (Baranof Island). The full name for Baranof Island in Tlingit is Sheet'-ká X'áat'.
The population of Sitka is over 20% Alaska Native, primarily Tlingit and Haida. Any visit to Sitka should include time spent appreciating the legacy and contemporary life of its First people. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska provides several opportunties to do this, including bus tours and traditional dance performances.
The Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2012. The ANB Hall on Katlian Street is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka and remains the home for the founding ANB Camp #1. Katlian Street has been used as a major trail and road for 5,000 years.
The Sitka National Historical Park is Alaska's oldest national park, established in 1910 to commemorate the 1804 Battle of Sitka, as well as to preserve Native totemic art. The visitors center has interpretive displays about the historic conflict between the Tlingits and Russians and contemporary Native artists demonstrating their work. A beautiful walking path provides a chance to view a collection of totem poles. In 2011 a new pole was raised to commemorate the Park's 100 year anniversary. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Battle of 1804 from the Tlingit perspective.
Russian-American Era
In 1741, the Vitus Berring expedition recorded the location of the Tlingit settlement at Sitka and recognized the value of the location and resources, recording this in their log books. The world of the Tlingit people came to a calamitous turning point in 1799 when the Russians returned, built a fort and trading post and named the site "New Archangel." In 1802, the Tlingit destroyed the Russian outpost, however the Russians returned in 1804 and retaliated by destroying the Tlingit fort in the Battle of Sitka, a site commemorated at the Sitka National Historical Park. Just a few years later, in 1808, Sitka became the capital of Russian-America, a vast territory that extended from Northern Alaska, south to Fort Ross, California.
Sitka was the capital of Russian-America from 1799 until 1867 and during the mid-1840's Sitka was the leading economic center of the Pacific Rim with the first boatyard, lighthouse, sawmill, iron, brass and bronze foundries, and flour mill. Sitka, with scenic beauty possessed by few world communities, was known as the "Paris of the Pacific" and was the largest European-style settlement on the West Coast of North America.
When the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, the Stars and Stripes were first raised on Castle Hill in downtown Sitka. Sitka was the capital of the Alaska Territory until 1906 when it was moved to Juneau.
World War II
During World War II, the town was fortified and the U.S. Navy built an air base on Japonski Island across the harbor with 30,000 military personnel and over 7,000 civilians. A secret radar tower was constructed on Harbor Mountain and a number of gunning placments were installed to protect the coastline from Japanese invasion. To learn more CLICK HERE.
Contemporary Sitka
The confluence of Tlingit, Russian and American influences in Sitka has created a cultural environment here that consistently surprises and delights residents and visitors alike. On a given day, one could attend a concert by the world-renowned musicians of the Sitka Summer Music Festival; visit the Sheldon Jackson Museum, one of the finest museums of Native artifacts in Alaska; see those artifacts come to life in a Tlingit Native dance performance; see Russian culture preserved in the Russian Bishop's House or the performances of the New Archangel Dancers; attend an impromptu poetry reading at a local coffee house, or live musical performance on of the Sitka's three stages.
The Island Institute brings award winning authors and thinkers to Sitka each year. The late James Michner used Sitka as his base while writing his novel "Alaska."
SITKA, ALASKA'S RUSSIAN & TLINGIT HERITAGE: WATCH THE VIDEO
