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Reindeer in alaska

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Rachel Drinkard

Reindeer were first imported to Alaska in 1892 by a Presbyterian minister to address food shortages among Alaska Natives. Russian and Saami herders taught locals how to herd reindeer. The gold rush increased demand for reindeer meat but after prospectors left, the reindeer population peaked at 650,000 with no natural predators or humans to control numbers. In the 1980s, the value of reindeer antlers for traditional Chinese medicine created a market for organized spring roundups. Today fewer than 18,000 reindeer remain in Alaska due to remoteness limiting access to processing facilities and transportation infrastructure.

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Reindeer in Alaska The History of the Caribous Cousin
How Reindeer Came to Alaska First imported in 1892 from Siberia Introduced by Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian minister Whaling captains had noticed a lack of food for the Alaska Natives due to the extensive hunting of marine mammals in the Bering Sea. Sheldon brought Russian and then Saami herders to teach the Alaskans how to herd. Distributed first to the care of territorial schools. Saami reindeer herders on arrival in Bethel ca. 1903. Photo courtesy of baika.org.
Gold Rush and Bust The Gold Rush came to Nome and the Seward Peninsula 1899-1909 bringing with it lots of hungry prospectors. After the left, Reindeer hit their peak in Western Alaska with an estimated 650,000 head. With few left to eat them, the Reindeer were left to their own, succumbing to predators or joining wild Caribou herds.
New Purpose In the 1980s Reindeer antlers were discovered to be worth as much as an entire Reindeer when harvested to specification for Traditional Chinese Medicine. This created a new need for a spring roundup so the antlers could be harvested in their prime, before the velvet came off. The medicinal qualities of the antlers are now being confirmed by modern research. Davis Ongtowasruk handling a reindeer in his familys corral in Wales, Alaska, 1993. Courtesy of Faye Ongtowasruk. Shared from the ongtowasruk herd of wales, alaska by Davis Ongtowasruk in the Alaska Journal of Anthropology vol. 12, no. 2 (2014)
Reindeer Today Today there are fewer than 18,000 Reindeer remaining in semi-domestic herds, mostly on the Seward Peninsula. Because of the remoteness of the herds, there is no access to USDA processing facilities or affordable transportation to get them to market. With over 15 million acres of prime reindeer range, Alaskans could sustainably produce 50,000 to 100,000 Reindeer every year. Ongtowasruk corral crew in Wales, Alaska, 1993. Courtesy of Faye Ongtowasruk. Shared from the ongtowasruk herd of wales, alaska by Davis Ongtowasruk in the Alaska Journal of Anthropology vol. 12, no. 2 (2014)
Additional Questions What is the cultural significance of Reindeer in Alaska Native villages today? Are they as important to identity as other traditional foods, or they not considered traditional because they were imported? What is the economic impact of Reindeer on these communities? Is there community motivation to improve markets and market access, or is it mostly external pressure? Interesting Fact: The Reindeer in our Alaskan Reindeer Dogs is sometimes imported from other countries, and if its from Alaska has to first be shipped out of state for inspection!

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Reindeer in alaska

  • 1. Reindeer in Alaska The History of the Caribous Cousin
  • 2. How Reindeer Came to Alaska First imported in 1892 from Siberia Introduced by Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian minister Whaling captains had noticed a lack of food for the Alaska Natives due to the extensive hunting of marine mammals in the Bering Sea. Sheldon brought Russian and then Saami herders to teach the Alaskans how to herd. Distributed first to the care of territorial schools. Saami reindeer herders on arrival in Bethel ca. 1903. Photo courtesy of baika.org.
  • 3. Gold Rush and Bust The Gold Rush came to Nome and the Seward Peninsula 1899-1909 bringing with it lots of hungry prospectors. After the left, Reindeer hit their peak in Western Alaska with an estimated 650,000 head. With few left to eat them, the Reindeer were left to their own, succumbing to predators or joining wild Caribou herds.
  • 4. New Purpose In the 1980s Reindeer antlers were discovered to be worth as much as an entire Reindeer when harvested to specification for Traditional Chinese Medicine. This created a new need for a spring roundup so the antlers could be harvested in their prime, before the velvet came off. The medicinal qualities of the antlers are now being confirmed by modern research. Davis Ongtowasruk handling a reindeer in his familys corral in Wales, Alaska, 1993. Courtesy of Faye Ongtowasruk. Shared from the ongtowasruk herd of wales, alaska by Davis Ongtowasruk in the Alaska Journal of Anthropology vol. 12, no. 2 (2014)
  • 5. Reindeer Today Today there are fewer than 18,000 Reindeer remaining in semi-domestic herds, mostly on the Seward Peninsula. Because of the remoteness of the herds, there is no access to USDA processing facilities or affordable transportation to get them to market. With over 15 million acres of prime reindeer range, Alaskans could sustainably produce 50,000 to 100,000 Reindeer every year. Ongtowasruk corral crew in Wales, Alaska, 1993. Courtesy of Faye Ongtowasruk. Shared from the ongtowasruk herd of wales, alaska by Davis Ongtowasruk in the Alaska Journal of Anthropology vol. 12, no. 2 (2014)
  • 6. Additional Questions What is the cultural significance of Reindeer in Alaska Native villages today? Are they as important to identity as other traditional foods, or they not considered traditional because they were imported? What is the economic impact of Reindeer on these communities? Is there community motivation to improve markets and market access, or is it mostly external pressure? Interesting Fact: The Reindeer in our Alaskan Reindeer Dogs is sometimes imported from other countries, and if its from Alaska has to first be shipped out of state for inspection!