The History of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Alaska

The History of the Alaska Native Brotherhood & Alaska Native Sisterhood in Southeast Alaska 1

Geography of Alaska 2

Alaska Native Groups 3

The ANB & ANS Began in Sitka, Alaska in 1912 The Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall was built in 1914 on the waterfront in Sitka. It is now a national historic landmark. ANB Hall 4

The Founding Fathers of the Alaska Native Brotherhood v Peter Simpson, Tsimshian Canadian (“Father of ANB”) v Ralph Young, Sitka v Chester Worthington, Wrangell v James C. Johnson, Klawock v Paul Liberty, Sitka v Seward Kunz, Juneau v Frank Mercer, Juneau v Frank Price, Sitka v George Field, Klawock v Eli Katanook, Angoon v James Watson, Juneau v William Hobson, Angoon v Andrew Wanamaker, Sitka Rise of the ANB

ANB & ANS Constitution Preamble 6

The Alaska Native Sisterhood Promoting Alaska Native Women’s Rights since 1926 Panel Discusses Alaska Native Sisterhood Elizabeth Peratrovich - Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand President and Civil Rights Leader 7

ANB & ANS Political and Cultural Leaders William Paul (1885 -1977) - An attorney, legislator, and political activist from the Tlingit nation of Southeastern Alaska. He was known as a leader in the Alaska Native Brotherhood. Elizabeth Peratrovich (1911 -1958) - An important Alaska civil rights activist, working on behalf of equality for Alaska Native peoples. She was the single driving force behind the passage of the state's Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, the first anti-discrimination law in the United States. Dr. Walter Soboleff (1908 -2011) - An American Tlingit scholar, elder and religious leader. Soboleff was the first Alaska Native to become an ordained Presbyterian minister. 8

The Alaska Federation of Natives AFN Origins The Alaska Federation of Natives was formed in October 1966, when more than 400 Alaska Natives representing 17 Native organizations gathered for a three-day conference to address Alaska Native aboriginal land rights. From 1966 to 1971, AFN worked primarily to achieve passage of a just and fair land settlement. On December 18, 1971 the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was 9 signed into law.

Alaska Territory & Statehood Russian Alaska and its Legacy The Purchase of Alaska by the U. S. From Russia (“Seward’s Folly”) Alaska Becomes the 49 th State The Alaska Flag Song 10

ANB & ANS Cultural Heritage Legacy Tlingit Culture & Language Alaska Native Dancing Alaska Native Art & Carving 11

Current ANB & ANS Issues Subsistence for Alaska Natives Sitka Cultural Center Protest ANB/ANS Conference & Constitution Changes

Legacy of ANB & ANS § Gained recognition of Native rights as U. S. citizens. § Won the right for Alaska Natives to vote. § Integrated public schools. § Helped support the first Alaska Natives to be elected to the Alaska territorial Legislature. § Helped initiate Tlingit and Haida land claims and later ANCSA. § Helped pass the Native Civil Rights Law in Alaska. § Helped fight for Alaska Native subsistence rights. § Promotes continuing cultural education for Alaska Native children. 13

The Importance of Ku’ik Koo. eex (Potlatch) Introduction In honor of what we’ve learned about ANB, ANS, and the Tlingit culture in this unit we will have a class potluck to share food and present the Bloom Ball projects you’ve created. Everyone will bring a food dish to share and families/community members are invited to join us. 14