Long-lasting monuments honoring three Dena’ina chiefs buried in the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery will be installed and dedicated this summer, thanks to the efforts of John Bagoy, Dena’ina descendants of the chiefs, and the Cook Inlet Historical Society. The gathering of historical documentation about the lives of the chiefs still continues, as plans for memorializing them with granite monuments are finalized.

The three chiefs are Chiefs Nicholai I and II, both associated with Point Possession and the Kallander family, and Chief Simeon Ezi, associated with Eklutna and the Stephan family.

Meetings with descendants of the chiefs, CIRI region village representatives, CIRI staff, and John Bagoy began about two years ago and over time more information about the chiefs has been gathered. Bagoy’s original idea was to replace spirit houses that had been installed on the chiefs’ graves when they were buried, but Eklutna elder Alberta Stephan and others noted that this would not be culturally appropriate. Later, it was decided that granite monuments would be placed on the graves, with funds to pay for them coming from the Cook Inlet Historical Society and the chiefs’ descendants.

The project has drawn wide-ranging support, including the Municipality of Anchorage. At Bagoy’s request, the municipality will donate the cost of installing the monuments. Bagoy has initiated numerous improvement efforts at the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery on a volunteer basis and works closely with the Cook Inlet Historical Society. At Bagoy’s suggestion it was decided that names and information about the chiefs will be etched into bronze plaques on the monuments. Bagoy noted that bronze makes a longer lasting tribute than even blasting lettering into the granite.

Chief Ezi is shown at left with Olga Ezi, Pete Ezi and Alexander, Pete Ezi’s nephew, in this photo from Alberta Stephan’s historic photos.

The chiefs’ descendants will work with CIRI staff, the Cook Inlet Historical Society and Bagoy to develop plans for a ceremony in August to unveil the monuments. It is hoped that a Russian Orthodox priest will officiate at the ceremony.
Among descendants of the chiefs and others planning for the monuments have been Stephan, who is the author of “Cheda (Athabascan Indian for grandma)” and “The First Athabascans of Alaska: Strawberries”; Bagoy; Betty Gilcrist and Norman Kallander, representing Point Possession; Debbie Fullenwider, representing Eklutna; and CIRI intern Aaron Leggett.

The plaque for Chief Nicholai I will read:
Yuq’Hdnil’anen “Sky Reader”
The Athabascan weather prophet of Ch’aghalnikt “Point Possession” held dominion over all the Native inhabitants of the Cook Inlet Country.
Chief Nicholai I
Died March 20, 1919

The plaque for Chief Nicholai II will read:
Qeshqa “Respected Man”
The last recognized Athabascan chief of Ch’aghalnikt “Point Possession” who followed in the footsteps of his brother Chief Nicholai I.
Chief Nicholai II
1891-1935

The plaque for Stephan’s grandfather will read:
Chief Simeon Ezi
Dena’ina Chieftain
Upper Cook Inlet
1865-1935

The group is still working on research about a fourth chief buried in the cemetery, Chief Naketa. Stephan said she believes that the Naketa buried in the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery is possibly her mother’s stepfather, and that his widow’s name was Mary. She said during the World War I flu epidemic, the couple lived in Point Possession and was called upon to assist in burying the many people who died in the worldwide epidemic. When more information is found about Naketa, possibly a fourth monument could be installed.

CIRI intern Leggett said the project was particularly meaningful to him because it has given him a deeper appreciation for his ties to his ancestors. “Having never known a Dena’ina chief, I feel that working on this project has allowed me to pay my respects and has given me a way to connect with my past.”

In an earlier project Bagoy worked to identify nearly 3,000 unmarked graves in the Anchorage cemetery. The graves are being marked with granite markers at a cost of about $250,000, with major contributions by Ed Rasmuson, the National Bank of Alaska, Wells Fargo Bank, CIRI and others. About a third of the previously unmarked graves are those of Alaska Natives, some of which date back to the cemetery’s earliest beginnings in 1915.

Bagoy has been widely recognized for his efforts to maintain and improve the Anchorage cemetery and honor those buried there.