Life in the Village: Chapter 1

Modern rendering of the Il’mena, the brig that brought Russians and Alaska Natives to San Nicolas Island in 1814. Illustration by Elizabeth Chapin.

Karana, a 12-year-old indigenous girl, gathers roots for food in a canyon on her island home. Nearby, Karana's six-year-old brother, Ramo, watches the sea as a large ship sails toward the island. Neither of the children has seen a large ship before. The vessel—a "red ship with two red sails"—brings a Russian, Captain Orlov, and Aleut hunters.

While Karana, Ramo, and their entire community look on, Captain Orlov is rowed to shore. The Russian tells Chief Chowig, Karana and Ramo's father, that he has 40 men and they wish to hunt sea otters. After a discussion, Karana's father allows the hunt to take place but insists on an equal share of the profit.

Karana and the indigenous people on the island live in a village called Ghalas-at. Their island is twenty leagues from Santa Barbara (California, USA).

Fact Check: Russians and Aleuts

Did Russians and Aleuts travel to the California Channel Islands to hunt sea otters? 

What do we know?
Employees of the Russian American Company (RAC) brought Aleuts and other Alaska Natives to the Channel Islands to hunt sea otters during the early to mid-1800s (nineteenth century). 

What is the evidence?
Primary source: Read an excerpt from a letter I.A. Kuskov, a RAC manager, writes to the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Colonies in America. The letter tells about the arrival of the ship Il’mena at San Nicolas Island, with the purpose of hunting sea otters. 

Secondary source: In Voices from the Field, Dr. Glenn Farris discusses Russian and Alaska Native hunters coming to hunt sea otters in the 1800s (nineteenth century).

Secondary source: Dr. Glenn Farris describes, as part of a larger research article, the voyage of the Il’mena to the Channel Islands, where Russian and Alaska Native hunters landed to hunt sea otters.

Voices from the Field

Jerry Lassos, a Gabrielino, talks about his tribe’s name for San Nicolas Island. 

Dr. Glenn Farris, California State Parks archeologist (retired), discusses why the Russians sailed to the Channel Islands during the first half of the 1800s (nineteenth century). 

Photos & Multimedia

Historic artwork: View of Fort Ross, 1828. Many ships coming to the Channel Islands to hunt sea otters stopped at Fort Ross, a colony in northern California managed by Russia from 1812 to 1841. By A. B. Duhaut-Cilly. Courtesy of Fort Ross State Historic Park Photo Archives.

See It Yourself!

Learn more about the Russian history in North America at Fort Ross State Historic Park on the north coast of California.

Teacher Resources

Writing Prompts and Lesson Plans