Report on Introduction of Domestic Reindeer into Alaska with Illustrations, 1897. Senate of the United States, 55th Congress, 2nd Session (December 17, 1897). Document No. 30
Author: Jackson, Sheldon
Date: 1898-00-00
Type: Historical Materials
Subjects: Animals,Animal Husbandry,Alaska Natives,Rural Education,Agricultural Education,American Indian Education,Immigration,Foreign Countries

Following a letter of transmittal between the Department of the Interior and the President of the Senate, this document presents General Agent of Education in Alaska, Sheldon Jackson's seventh annual report on &quot;The introduction of domestic reindeer into Alaska.&quot; In his report, Jackson notes satisfactory progress with an advance made during the year. No new reindeer purchases were made in Siberia, but 466 deer were born in the herds, for a total number of 1,466 head as of June 30, 1897. A new reindeer station was established some 60 miles north of St. Michael, Norton Sound, which is a central point for herd distribution. Bringing Lapps to Alaska continues to be valuable for training natives in herd management and care. The Lapps were brought with the understanding it was to be a three-year term, and several have returned to Lapland. Others have remained with the understanding that they will become herd owners and permanent citizens. In the past year, rations have changed to decrease the amount of imported American food like meat and flour and increase native food like fish, seal, and oil. The school has mostly Eskimo children in the immediate station vicinity. Lapps and Eskimo apprentices are learning English, and the superintendent recommends a few years in the States for some of the young people to learn English. Since the last annual report, the Russian government granted the U.S. permission to place an agent on the Siberian coast for reindeer purchase. This will enable purchasing throughout the year and having the reindeer on the coast ready for summer transportation to Alaska. Having met and overcome obstacles to successful reindeer introduction, Jackson observes that the remaining test is to prove the animals' ability to travel long distances in severe winter conditions. Under the Secretary of the Interior's direction, the station superintendent and two Lapps undertook a 2,000-mile trip on December 10, 1896, with nine sleds and 17 head of reindeer. On April 24, 1897, the part successfully reached the Teller Station. The journey convinced missionaries, miners, traders and other in the region that reindeer could successfully be used for travel and freight. Jackson also discusses his 1,600-mile trip up the Yukon River, and registering reindeer brands. He also covers his itinerary from Unalaska, Dutch Harbor to Teller Reindeer Station, Cape Prince of Wales, and the new purchase station at St. Lawrence Bay. He includes his observations of the natives and their customs and the region's natural resources. He concludes with a summary of the impact of the Government's aid sent to relieve miners facing the long arctic winter without sufficient supplies of food; eight whaling vessels unexpectedly caught in the ice and in danger of starvation in the Arctic coast of Alaska; and inhabitants of Yukon Valley experiencing a shortage of food. Appendices include the annual Teller Reindeer Station report, excerpts from the Teller superintendent's diary, the Teller Station daily journal, the annual reports of the stations at Cape Prince of Wales and Golovin Bay, and correspondence and reports on Siberia purchasing and establishing a purchasing station there.