Module IV: Russian Alaska

What is the legacy of the Russian colonization of Alaska?
The first Russians on U.S. territory were part of Russia's internal migration.  During the eighteenth century, Russian traders and missionaries crossing Siberia reached Alaska, which became a colony of the Russian Empire.  By 1784 the first permanent Russian settlement was founded on Kodiak Island.  Soon thee were russian colonies on the Alaskan mainland (Yakutat and Sitka).  Although the number of Russians in Alaska never exceeded 500, Russian influence continues today.

Russian influence continues in Alaska in the form of the Orthodox Church, which succeeded in converting as many as 12,000 of the native Inuit and Aleut people.

More information:  http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Russian-Americans.html

When did the Russians come to Alaska and in what areas did they settle?
1740s to 1800
Small associations of fur traders began to sail from the shores of Siberia, Russia, towards the Aleutian islands.  As the runs from Siberia to America became longer expeditions (lasting two to four years or more), the crews established hunting and trading posts.  The first settlement occured at Unalaska.  By the late 1790s, these had become permanent settlements.  In 1784, the Russian-Alaska Company arrived in Three Saints Bay on Kodiak Island.  In 1790, the Russian-Alaska Company moved it's headquarters to the northeast end of Kodiak Island where timber was available.  This is now the city of Kodiak.  Russian members of the colony took local wives and started families whose names continue today, such as Panamaroff, Petrikoff, and Kvasnikoff.

In 1795, the Russians established Mikhailovsky, six miles north of present-day Sitka.

Early 1800s
In 1800, Alexandr Baranov established New Archangel, a settlement purchased from
the Tlingits.

Early Russian Settlements (Google Images)

Where in Alaska do we continue to see Russian communities as evidenced by observable Russian culture?
Perhaps the greatest observable Russian culture existing today in Alaska is in the form of the  Orthodox Diocese of Alaska.  Once called the Russian Orthodox Church, we continue to see evidences of thriving Russian emigrants, now claiming both Russian culture and Alaskan culture.  Today we see Orthodox Churches of the Diocese of Alaska in the following towns/cities:
Adak, Akhiok, Akutan, Aleknagik, Anchorage, Angoon, Aniak, Atka, Atmartluaq, Belkofsky, Bethel, Chenaga Bay, Chignik Lagoon and Lake, Chuathbaluk, Chugiak, Clarks Point, Cordova, Crooked Creek, Dillingham, Eek, Egegik, Ekuk, Ekwok, Fairbanks, False Pass, Homer, Hoonah, Igiugig, Juneau, Karluk, Kasigluk, Kenai, King Cove, Kipnuk, Kodiak, Kokhanok, Kolinganek, Kongiganak, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Larsen Bay, Levelock, Lime Village, Lower Kalskag, Marshall, Mountain Village, Naknek, Nanwalek, Napaskiak, New Stuyahok, Newhalen, Nikolai, Nikolski, Ninilchik, Nondolton, Nunapitchuk, Ohagamuit, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Palmer, Perryville, Pilot Point, Pilot Station, Pitkas Point, Port Graham, Port Heiden, Port Lyons, Portage Creek, Quinhagak, Saint Michael,  Sand Point, Seldovia, Sitka, Sleetmute, South Naknek, Spruce Island, St George Island, St Paul Island, Stony River, Tatitlek, Telida, Tuntutuliak, Tyonek, Unalaska, Valdez, Wasilla, Yukon River.

Russian Orthodox Church, Juneau, Alaska
(www.google.com)

There are estimates that up to 50,000 Alaskans participate in the Orthodox Diocese Churches in Alaska  (http://www.dioceseofalaska.org/outreachalaska.html).  That amounts to 7% of the current Alaska population (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/02000.html).