Alaska Reindeer Service

[3] During the summer of 1890, Dr. Sheldon Jackson, General Agent for Education in Alaska and Presbyterian Minister, accompanied the revenue cutter Bear, Capt.

Michael A. Healy, commanding, in its annual cruise in Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean visiting all the important villages on both Alaskan and Siberian shores.

Both Jackson and Healy were impressed by the fact that it would be a wise national policy to introduce domestic reindeer from Siberia into Alaska as a source and supply for food and clothing to the Alaskan Eskimos in the vicinity of Bering Strait.

Upon his return to Washington in September, 1890, Jackson brought the matter to the attention of the Commissioner of Education, Dr. William Torrey Harris, who at once endorsed the project and gave it his support.

[5] Pending the securing of a congressional appropriation for the support of the enterprise, an appeal was made to individuals for a preliminary sum in order that an experiment might be commenced at once.

The work was exacting in the extreme, beleaguered, uncharted coast, long delays in dangerous waters, patient bargaining in sign language with Siberians, tedious payment for the reindeer, hard work in transporting deer in the Bear's boats from shore to ship, discomfort on board while on the Way to Alaska, and much labor in the landing of deer on the Alaskan side.

Upon the satisfactory termination of his apprenticeship the apprentice becomes a herder and assumes entire charge of his herd, subject to the supervision of the district and local school authorities.

[6] The ARS was under the administration of the United States Bureau of Education, Department of the Interior, with headquarters in Seattle and with seven superintendents in Alaska.