Opinions

Remains returned: Igiugig, Smithsonian show how reconciliation is done

Nobel Prize winner Nelson Mandela says, "Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustices." Often the process of reconciliation is a result of a commission or a legal dispute, but sometimes not.

Sometimes reconciliation happens because it's simply the right thing to do and like-minded citizens' work together to bring it about.

On Sept. 14, my husband, Bill Hanson, was fortunate to join representatives from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the village of Igiugig to return, with ceremony, the remains of 23 Yup'ik people to a resting place in the hills above the Kvichak River.

Igiugig is home to about 69 residents at the mouth of the Kvichak and Lake Iliamna in Southwest Alaska.

The remains of these ancestors were collected from graves near Igiugig by the Smithsonian in 1931, probably without permission or perhaps even the knowledge of the residents. Since the early 1990s, the Smithsonian has been working to repatriate human remains to indigenous people across the nation. Many are ready to return to Alaska.

[Iguigig residents take on a health challenge with traditional food]

In joining the people of Igiugig to share knowledge and food, to apologize for the removal of the remains, and to express their sincere intention to help return the remains with respect, the Smithsonian reached across the years and across the cultures to bring ancestors home to their rightful place.

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The generosity of the Igiugig community, the people's hard work and welcome, made this possible. A potluck, presentations and question-answering by the community and Smithsonian, a Russian Orthodox worship service, and the burial with shovels in the hands of both the community and the Smithsonian, brought everyone closer together.

Similar to the situation in Bristol Bay, the Juneau area has the opportunity to right a historic wrong without being under any immediate obligation to do so. Through the state and a land deal with the U.S. Forest service, the City and Borough of Juneau now owns three lots on what is known in Juneau as Indian Point.

This peninsula abutting the north shore of Auke Bay is the site of the original village of the Auk Kwaan people and as such it is listed on the National Historic Register. Additionally, Juneau's 2016 approved land management plan requires that city land at Indian Point be managed "in a manner sensitive to the cultural heritage of Auk Kwaan people."

What better way to manage for cultural sensitivity than putting this land back in the hands of the Auk Kwaan themselves?

This is a question I and former Anchorage Assembly member Randy Wanamaker (representing the clan leaders) posed to the Juneau community in a joint commentary. We also explained the history and how it could be done.

We will be working together to get this through the city process. Maybe by spring, Juneau and can join the village of Igiugig in celebrating a reconciliation of our own choosing; of righting an old wrong.

Pope Francis has said, "To celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation means to be wrapped in a warm embrace."

I think this must be what all those in attendance at the burial ceremony in Igiugig felt — a warm embrace between the community and the Smithsonian. It is certainly what my husband felt from all the people there.

Kate Troll is the author of "The Great Unconformity: Reflections on Hope in an Imperiled World." She has over 22 years' experience in Alaska fisheries, coastal management and energy policy. She lives in Douglas.

The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary@alaskadispatch.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@alaskadispatch.com. 

Kate Troll

Kate Troll, a longtime Alaskan, has over 22 years experience in coastal management, fisheries and energy policy and is a former executive director for United Fishermen of Alaska and the Alaska Conservation Voters. She's been elected to local office twice, written two books and resides in Douglas.

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