After a US sentry killed two Lingít men in 1869, the navy bombarded the village of Kake and totally destroyed it

The US navy will apologize to the Alaska village of Kake on Saturday afternoon, in the first of two apologies planned by the military for bombardments of Alaska Native communities in the late 1800s.

During Saturday’s ceremony, R Adm Mark B Sucato will express the military’s regret for firing upon and torching the Lingít (often known as the Tlingit) village of Kake in 1869. The event will also include remarks from tribal leaders and elders, a blessing from the tribe and a navy chaplain, as well as performances by the Keex Kwaan Dancers and the navy band, navy environmental public affairs specialist Julianne Leinenveber said.