|
History: |
An extensive history of Sami
reindeer herding in Western Alaska can be found on the BAIKI -
The North American Sami Journal
web site. In
1877 Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian minister came to Alaska to
set up a mission at Port Clarence on the Seward Peninsula.
In 1885 Jackson was appointed by the US Congress to be the
General Agent of Education for the Alaska Territories. In
1890 Jackson promoted a federal plan to import reindeer from
Russia to introduce reindeer husbandry to the Inupiaq.
Reindeer and Chukchi herders were brought from Russia, the
reindeer propagated but Alaskan Natives do not get along with
the Chukchis. In 1894 Jackson received funds from the
government for "The Reindeer Project". Sami reindeer
herders were then recruited in Kautokeino, Norway and traveled
by ship to the US, by train across the country to Seattle and
again by ship to the Teller Reindeer Station.
The Sami reindeer
herders, working on three year contracts for $27.50 a month,
taught the Inupiaq how to raise reindeer. Other groups of
Sami came to Alaska in subsequent years. Many of the Sami
liked Alaska so much that after their contracts were up they
decided to stay in Alaska. Some continued with their own
reindeer herds. Some followed the turn of the century rush
for gold. And some Sami married Alaskan Natives. Of
course, the Sami brought skis from Scandinavia to Alaska and
used them in their reindeer herding duties.
Two major reindeer drives
are know to have occurred in Alaska. During the winter
travel of these treks skis were most likely used. The
first occurred in 1921 when a drive of 1162 reindeer left
Goodnews Bay on the Bering Sea on October 27th and made it
to Cantwell near Denaili on August 9, 1922 after traveling 1200
miles. The second drive, known as "The Great Trek" was
supposed to be an 18 month 1200 mile trek from Nabatoolik,
Alaska to Kittigazuit, NWT, Canada. Leaving December 14th,
1929 it ended up taking 5 years, and much hardship, to get the
reindeer to the NWT. Only about 10% of the 3,442 reindeer
that started the trek survived, but with new births along the
way the total size of the herd that reached the destination was
2,382. |
