Saturday, May 17: All Alaska Native Day & Annual Spring Festival

Two hundred years ago Fort Ross was a very busy place. The settlement was almost self-sufficient in producing what it needed. Ships were built, bricks fired, cattle raised, iron forged, and all things were traded with the Spanish. But one should ask: who were these industrious Fort Ross workers?

While the Russian leadership at Fort Ross is well known, it bears mentioning that Russians always numbered far fewer than the Alaska Natives and American Natives.

Of the Alaska Natives, there were many from Kodiak Island, and several from outer Aleutian Islands. These Alaskans contributed greatly to Fort Ross, and yet we have not explored their story nor acknowledged their sacrifices.

On May 17th we launch what we hope will become an annual event at Fort Ross: the All Alaska Native Day. This event will pay tribute to the enormous importance of the Alaska Native people who were so influential in the history of Fort Ross. It will be a full day, with presentations by historian Dan Murley and writer and baidarka-builder George Dyson, as well as bentwood hat demonstrations, baidarka races in the cove, and of course rich conversation, good food and warm drinks.

• 10am: coffee and tea, lecture and presentation in auditorium, with presentations by retired California State Parks historian Dan Murley and others

• 12pm: Baidarka race with prizes at Sandy Beach Cove

• 2pm: Lecture by George Dyson on baidarka building.

We are fortunate to also welcome Russia House Kedry to Fort Ross for this event, so the Spring celebration will be filled with song.

Lecture special event fee applies; $10 per person, plus California State Parks $8 per car entrance fee – please carpool! Tickets for the lecture available at the door of the Fort Ross Visitor Center, or in advance via Eventbrite.