ahtna indian community The Ahtna are a hunter/fisher/gatherer tribe of Alaska's Copper River that had little White contact until the 1880's. The tribe's aggressive nature allowed them to remain isolated in spite of White exploration. Their territory was sparsely populated. Though considerably smaller in population and speaking a different language, they are culturally close to the neighboring Tlingit.
Ahtna Alaskan natives
Language: Ahtna Language Family: Tanaina-Ahtna Stock: Athapaskan Phylum: Na-Dene Macro-Culture: Alaska Native Village
Number of Fluent Ahtna Speakers: 80, as of 1995 Other speakers of the same language: None
Historical Locations: In Alaska - Ikherkhamut, Kangikhlukmut, Kulushut, Shukhtutakhlit, Vikhit
Present Locations: In Alaska - Ahtna Incorporated, Copper River
Ahtna Historical Timeline:
Year History
1781 Russian Nagaieff discovered mouth of Copper River, hostile natives prevented exploration.
1796 Russian Samoylof attempted exploration, failed.
1798 Russian Lastochkin attempted exploration failed.
1819 Russian Klimoffsky attempted exploration failed. Russian post established near Taral.
1837 Smallpox epidemic.
1844 Russian Gregorief attempted exploration, failed.
1848 Russian Serebrannikof partially explored river, he and 3 others killed by natives; Taral post closed.
1867 Alaska Purchase.
1882 Holt ascended to Taral, killed by natives.
1884 Lt. Abercrombie explored part of river.
1885 Lt. Allen explored to Ahtena villages.
1898 Gold rush, influx of miners.
1905 Richardson Highway opened.
1918 Influenza epidemic.
1942 Epidemic.
1948 Epidemic.
1971 Shared in $962.5 million settlement for land claims relative to Alaska Pipeline; Athena Corporation formed for administration.
The Ahtna are a hunter/fisher/gatherer tribe of Alaska's Copper River that had little White contact until the 1880's. The tribe's aggressive nature allowed them to remain isolated in spite of White exploration. Their territory was sparsely populated. Though considerably smaller in population and speaking a different language, they are culturally close to the neighboring Tlingit.
