Six Lapps imported to Alaska to instruct Native apprentices. Rev. T. L. Brevig establishes mission and school at Port Clarence. Wales school receives 118 reindeer from Port Clarence as part of distribution program. Herd to be used to train Native apprentices. W. T. Lopp in charge.
Federal appropriations begin.
Charlie Antisarlook, from Cape Rodney, receives a loan of 100 head to dispel doubts among Natives that they will ever receive deer. 1897-1898 Several hundred whalers are stranded at Point Barrow, their ships being frozen in the ice pack. Miners on the Upper Yukon reportedly short of winter supplies. Charlie Antisarlook and Wales herds used in relief expeditions. Gold is discovered near Nome in 1897.