Fate of ‘Lost Alaskans’ sent to Oregon mental hospital a century ago uncovered by volunteers

Fate of ‘Lost Alaskans’ sent to Oregon mental hospital a century ago uncovered by volunteers

A 15-year volunteer effort is helping identify the fates of thousands of Alaskans who were shipped to a controversial psychiatric hospital in Oregon between 1904 and the 1960s.

Volunteers uncover fate of thousands of Lost Alaskans sent to Oregon mental hospital a century ago

Lucy Pitka McCormick’s relatives cooked salmon, moose, beaver and muskrat over an earthen firepit on the banks of the Chena River, just outside Fairbanks, as they honored her life. They whipped whitefish, blueberries and lard into a traditional Alaska Native dessert, and dolloped servings onto a paper plate, setting it in the flames to feed her spirit.The family prayed as McCormick's great-grandson built a small plywood coffin that was filled wi…

Volunteers uncover fate of thousands of Lost Alaskans sent to Oregon mental hospital a century ago

ANCHORAGE — Lucy Pitka McCormick's relatives cooked salmon, moose, beaver and muskrat over an earthen firepit on the banks of the Chena River, just outside Fairbanks, as they honored her life. They whipped whitefish, blueberries and lard into a traditional…