Sitka National Historical Park

The history preserved at Sitka NHP reflects a pivotal chapter in the expansion of the United States — a chapter that involved conflict, displacement, and transformation. The interpretive materials now under review present this documented history as it happened, drawing on primary sources and scholarly consensus.

The administration has ordered replaced or removed content that includes the language: “This house stands on the unceded territories of the Sheet'la Lwaan.”, and “The history of this land includes a series of actions that attempted to remove the Sheet'ka Kwaan from their land, cutlture, and language which includes forced relocations under both Russian and American governance.”.

The administration has directed that this content be replaced or removed — 2 items in total, not merely revised but eliminated from the visitor experience at Sitka NHP.

Why this matters: The history presented at Sitka NHP draws on primary sources, treaties, and documented events. These are not contested opinions but the factual record of how the United States expanded its borders. Visitors — especially students — deserve access to the complete story, including its difficult chapters.

Sitka NHP in AK preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.

Among the content targeted: “PICTURE: Caption - The Kiks.aadi, a clan of the Tlingit, mourn the transfer anniversary and counter the 2021 Alaska Day ceremony.” — language that the administration has ordered replaced or removed under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.

The administration has directed that this content be replaced or removed, not merely revised but eliminated from the visitor experience at Sitka NHP.

Why this matters: The specific language being targeted at Sitka NHP — including “PICTURE: Caption - The Kiks.aadi, a clan of the Tlingit, mourn the transfer anniversary and counter ” — is historically accurate content developed by professional historians and park staff. When this language is revised or removed, visitors lose access to the documented record of what happened here.

Long before Sitka NHP became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.

Among the content targeted: “Alaska Natives could only join the church if they abandoned their culture. These missionaries worked to destroy indigenous cultures and languages across Alaska.” — language that the administration has ordered replaced or removed under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.

The administration has directed that this content be replaced or removed, not merely revised but eliminated from the visitor experience at Sitka NHP.

Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Sitka NHP was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.

The story of Sitka NHP is inseparable from the lives of the people who were enslaved here. For generations, their stories went untold. The interpretive materials now targeted for revision were created to ensure these voices would finally be heard.

The administration has ordered revised content that includes the language: “1904: Territorial Governor John Brady ordered the Tlingit to hold the so-called”, “This began a period when American officals begin pressuring the Tlingit to stop traditional ceremonies. However, many of the Tlingit people continued practices in secret.”, “1912: A group of Alaska Natives in Sitka establish the Alaska Native Brotherhood to fight discrimination against Alaska's Southeast people.”, and “Europeans, including Russians, brought warfare, enslavement, and deadly diseases like smallpox that decimated the popultion. As of 2021, less than 18 percent of Alaska's population indentifies as Alaska Native.”.

Why this matters: The history of slavery at Sitka NHP was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.

Long before Sitka NHP became a national park, this land was home to Indigenous peoples whose connection to it spans thousands of years. The interpretive materials now being reviewed tell their story — often developed through years of formal tribal consultation, as required by federal law.

The administration has ordered revised content that includes the language: “Elite or Employee”, “Indigenous people thrived in Alaska, but Russians found it more challenging.”, “The Russian Empire, The North Pacific World”, and “Alaskan Natives named these lands first.”.

Why this matters: The Indigenous history presented at Sitka NHP was developed through formal tribal consultation — a legal requirement under federal law. The language being reviewed was often specifically requested by tribal nations whose ancestors lived on this land for thousands of years. Revising it without renewed consultation would violate both the spirit and the letter of that process.