Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-06-20
ALASKA'SISLANDU UTOPIA
THE SINGULAR SETTLEMENT OF THE
METLAKAHTLA INDIANS.

"We are free. The flag of the
United States has taken US into its
folds"
These patriotic and thrilling words
were uttered in broken English on
the 14th day of August, 1897, bv q
Metlakahtla Indian when he carried to
his brothers in British Columbia the
information that the colony estab-
lished on Annette Island, soff the coast
of Alaska, was formed and would be
protected by the United States.
For years the natives living at Met
lakahtla, British Columbia, [had been
in state of excitement and strife. 1t
was known as the associated commun-
ity, and was under the English flag.
In the autumn of 1886 there was o
crisis in the affairs of the community,
deputy was sent to Washington to
beg the United States Government to
give them q place in Alaska, where
they might build for themselves an
other home. Accordingly Annette
Island was set aside and the settle
ment started. The island is from
eighteen to twentymiles long, with an
average width of eight miles, and al
though more than seventy-five per
cent. of it consists of mountains and
rock, 1.-THE place is well suited for a
settlement. A number of natives i'm
mediately moved to their new home,
and when the messenger returned to
Metlakahtla and delivered the message
of freedom and the protection of the
United States there was universal re-
joicing. Reports received by the
Secretary OF the Interior give details
OF the occurrences. The messenger
extemporized song of freedom and
sang it to an inspiring native chant.
The people were electrified, and in
their JOY the work of pulling and pack
ing up for Alaska at once commenced.
By the 18th of August over eight hun
/ dred had safely crossed the water.
The natives have considerable in
telligence, and they Immediately
started to organize the community and
adopt regulations for its good govern
ment. The native council consists of
eighty members, ten of whom are
agent men, and twenty of them are
elected by ballot every New Year day.
! The duties of the council are to at
tend to the public affairs and improve
ment of the settlement, and collect
and disburse the yearly tax of So i'm
posed upon every ablebodied male
member of the community. The
council selects treasury and secre-
tary to keep the village record.
Admission to settle in the commu-
nifty is open to all those who are will
ing to adopt its regulations. Every
applicant for membership, however,
must be approved by the council, and
after probation is publicly admitted
on New Year day at general mass
meeting. On this occasion each can
didate for membership makes his
declaration, giving his reasons for
seeking admittance to the settlement,
and solemnly pledges himself to OBJ
serve its laws and regulations. After
the declarations have been made, the
new members are addressed by some
member of the council. Lots are then
cast to determine the company to
which each new member is drafted.
A badge is given him, and the COM
pany then welcomes him by acclama-
ton to the ranks.
On each New Year day, after the
council is selected, twenty men are
chosen as elders for the church.
Their duties are to watch over the
moral and religious affairs of the set
tlement, look up and correct offenders
and conduct religious services where
ever they may be when on fishing or
hunting expeditions.
After the election of eldersS the
voters are called upon to elect twenty
men as peace officers of the settle
ment, from whom two are selected
weekly for special duties as ,watchmen
for the town. All are expected to
keep watchful care over the peace
wherever they are travelling or are
located. The two watchmen on duty
parade the village occasionally during
the day and with especial vigilance at
night. At 9:30p. m. the bugle warns
all to go to bed, when the watchmen
see that all are indoors except those
who may have reason for being out
side.
The members of the company are
divided into ten companies, each being
named by its color and each member
provided with badge bearing the
words: Faith, Love, Loyalty" en-
circled by the words: Omitted Breth-
rem of Metlakahtla.
When it came time to build the town
site it was decided that each building
should have corner lot which should
be eighty feet front by ninety feet
deep. To avoid contention as to selec-
tion of sites it was determined 10 per-
nit the eldest the first choice. There
are no horses or vehicles in the village,
and SO theroads were only made twenty
feet wide. There is church, school,
town hall and residences for the minis
ter, doctor and school teacher. There
is natural reservoir in the shape of
| lake 800 feet above the town, and this
GuDOlinS Iyotar for runninu n cow mill