What country controlled Alaska before it became an American State?
The Russian Empire
100
The sea otters are members of what family?
The Weasel family!
100
In what ways do you think that the lives of the Kashaya Pomo were changed after the Russians arrived?
The Kashaya were mistreated by Spanish oppression. The Russians accepted the native people and protected them.
100
What did the Kashaya Pomo call the land that they sold to the Russians before it was changed to Settlement Ross?
Metini
100
How do you say "Hello!" in Russian?
Pree V yet!
200
What year Fort Ross established?
1812
200
How valuable was one otter pelt to the Russians?
One otter pelt could allow three people to survive for three years.
200
What was the name of the people who lived on the land where Colony Ross was built?
The Kashaya.
200
Why wasn't agriculture successful at Settlement Ross?
Most of the people living at Ross didn't know much about growing food. The cold, foggy weather on the coast and large golphers added to the difficulties.
200
How do you say "How are you?" in Russian?
Kak VY!
300
The fort was 12 miles from what river?
Slavinka (Today the Russian River)
300
How many hairs per square inch do the otters have on their fur?
1 million (1,000,000)
300
Were all of the Alaskans Aleuts?
No, there were many different Native Alaskan people who lived at the colony. They were classed collectiely as Aleuts in many documents.
300
What was life like as a child at Settlement Ross?
Children were kept busy with many chores, such as weeding the gardens, taking care of livestock, fetching water, gathering wood, and gathering mussels and abalone on the shore.
300
How do you say, "Good" in Russian?
Harasho!
400
Who selected the spot where Fort Ross is today?
Ivan Kuskov
400
What three characteristics do otters have that allow them to live in the water?
1.Waterproof fur
2. They can automatically close their ears and nostrils
3. They have webbed feet
400
What does the word "Creole" mean?
"Creole" is the word which the Company used to describe people whose mothers were Native Americans and whose fathers were Russian. They were considered Russian subjects.
400
Why did the Russian-American Company go away?
They couldn't grow enough food to supply the Alaskan colony and they were going into debt.
400
How do you say, "I love you" in Russian?
I Lyoi-Blyou Vas (Yellow Blue Vas)
500
What two main reasons did the Russians decide to build a settlement in California.
Getting sea otter fur for profit and to grow food to eat for the Company in Alaska.
500
How and where does the otter sleep?
They sleep in groups floating in the kelp along the shore so they don't drift out to sea.
500
What two items did the Native Alaskans use in order to hunt the sea otters?
Kayaks and a harpoon with a seal-bladder attached to it.
500
Who bought Settlement Ross from the Russians and why?
John Sutter bought everything that was left behind so that he could build up his own settlement near Sacramento.