Episcopal Press and News

Diocese of Alaska Returns Land to Athabascans

Episcopal News Service. October 22, 1993 [93183I]

In a recent ceremony near Tanana, Alaska, Bishop Steven Charleston of Alaska and the diocesan council returned 450 acres of land to the Athabascan people. Daniel G. Hall, president of the standing committee on diocesan property, said, "This was not a decision arrived at easily. It has taken many long hours of discussion, listening and prayer involving many people and groups. The diocese had an opportunity to begin a healing process." During the administration of Woodrow Wilson, the U.S. government took Athabascan land along the Yukon and gave it to the Episcopal Church. At the ceremony, Bishop Charleston knelt and asked forgiveness on behalf of the Episcopal Church for having taken the homeland of the Athabascan people.