ON THE BANKS OF THE COPPER RIVER - THE AHTNA INDIANS AND THE RUSSIANS, 1783-1867

This article documents Russian contact and interaction with the Athaba skan Ahtna Indians of the Copper River basin during the Russian Americ a period (1741-1867). Russian activities in the region centered on the fur trade. Visits to the Copper River were undertaken to search for t he source of native copper and to establish relations with the Indians who lived there. These expeditions met with mixed results. Some hosti lities ensued as the Ahtna sought to protect their position as middlem en in the trade, to preserve their independence, and to prevent the Ru ssians from finding the ''copper mines.'' The extent of Russian influe nce on Ahtna culture is also discussed.