Promyshlenniki

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Promyshlenniki was a group of Russian fur hunters and traders that came to Alaska in the 1790's. They were the backbone of Russian trading operations in Alaska.

Contents

[edit] Beginnings

The Lebedev-Lastochkin Company sent the first Russian promyshlenniki to investigate the resources of the lower Yukon River in 1790. The party, led by the hunter Ivanov, traveled from Iliamna Lake to the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers. Ivanov reported on the extensive fish and game resources and the many people inhabiting the region.[1]At first the traders returned to Kamchatka after every season but eventually trading posts were established in the territory.[2] These posts began in the Aleutians and moved eastward toward the Alaska Peninsula rather than north to the Yukon delta and Bering Strait.[3]

[edit] Alutiiq persecution

Promyshlenniki were adept at hunting on land but they lacked the skills to hunt on water, where sea otters lived. The Promyshlenniki then turned to the Alutiiq to do their hunting for them. The Alutiiq were trained at a young age to hunt sea otters. The Russians took the women and children of the Alutiit hostage and forced the men to hunt for them to ensure the safety of their families.[4]

[edit] Lifestyle

As time passed many of the Russian promyshlenniki took Aleut partners, had children, and adopted a native lifestyle during their time in the Aleutian Islands.[4][5] In 1794, with direct authorization from Catherine II, the Siberian governor Ivan Pil sent instructions that company managers at Kodiak should "encourage" single Russian men to marry native women.[4]

[The Promyshlenniki] appeared to be perfectly content to live after the manner of the Native indians of the country; partaking with equal relish and appetite their . . . food, adopting the same fashion, and using the same materials for their apparel.

—George Vancouver 1794, [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Alaska History and Cultural Studies: 1800-1869 The Russians and English Meet. Retrieved on 2007-11-18.
  2. ^ Gross, Nancy (1994-11-03). "From Promyshlenniki to Pollock and Beyond". Trade and commerce in Alaska's past : papers presented at the annual meeting of the Alaska Historical Society.: 6-19. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  3. ^ Alaska Regional Profiles : Yukon Region : The People. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  4. ^ a b c d Gwenn A. Miller (2005). Russian Routes. Retrieved on 2007-11-18.
  5. ^ Alaska History and Cultural Studies: 1743-1867 Era of Russian Violence. Retrieved on 2007-11-18.