| Nearly 20 years after the 1924 act, one of Alaska's most celebrated Native leaders, Elizabeth Peratrovich, and her husband Roy moved to Juneau in 1941. What the Peratroviches found when they moved to Juneau was similar to Hamm's experience; blatant discrimination was still practiced. Housing was difficult to find, and businesses had signs in front stating, "We cater to White Trade Only; No Natives Allowed; No Dogs or Indians Allowed." The Peratroviches' outrage, as well as their hope that they could make a better life for their children and other Alaska Natives, led to a three-year fight for a bill finally passed by the Territorial Legislature that prohibited discrimination in public accommodations throughout Alaska. On Feb. 16, 1945, Territorial Gov. Ernest Gruening signed into law the first legislation in the territory to prohibit racial discrimination. The 1945 law was a vital statement that needed to be made on a statewide basis. Unfortunately, like previous efforts, the law did not stop discrimination. In | Alaska, discrimination has been a problem even in recent decades and many Alaska Natives have devoted their lives to bettering the lot of their children and grandchildren. Most Native leaders have advocated participation at the voting booth as a way to fight discrimination and encourage the election of candidates who better understand many Alaska Natives' spiritual attachment to the land and their very real subsistence needs. It's an effort that continues to this day. Should you register to vote? Should you bother to cast a ballot in elections where you wish you were offered better alternatives? Should you take time out of your busy day to stand in line at a polling place? These are questions that only you can answer. But as you make your decision it might be well to weigh the discrimination of the past and the sacrifices made by those who fought it against your personal concerns about how much difference your vote might make.  |
| Smith Receives Awards for Literary Work Earlier this year, Anna Smith, a CIRI shareholder of Tlingit descent, had both a poem and a short story nominated for a prestigious Pushcart Prize. The story and poem were published in last winter's Alaska Quarterly Review. In June, Smith received a panelist's choice award for her play Martian Marbles, which was read at the Prince William  Sound Community College Theatre Conference in Valdez. This is the third time she's had a play accepted at this theatre conference which has helped her writing mature and evolve and inspired her to write a screenplay. Anna Smith  A New Adopted Daughter Randy Gibbs and CIRI shareholder Charlene Juliussen-Gibbs announce the adoption of their daughter Stacey L.J. Gibbs on April 3. Five-year-old Stacey, who will be starting kindergarten in the fall, is the first child for Randy and Charlene. Both Charlene and Stacey are of Athabascan and Aleut heritage. | Arroyo Receives Computer for Academic Achievement Antonio Arroyo, a 13-year-old 7th grader, was one of six students awarded a computer for being on the honor role throughout the entire school year at Clark Middle School. For his achievement Arroyo also received one year of free Internet service from Alaska Communications  Systems (ACS). The computers were donated by Polar Path Communications, an educational nonprofit founded by Phillip Akelkok that focuses on computer education and training for Alaska Native people. Arroyo, who was born in Anchorage, is the son of CIRI shareholder Joann Arroyo. He is a tribal member of the village of Tyonek, which is where his mother grew up. His favorite subject in school is science, and he's particularly interested in geology and earth science. He also enjoys math, language arts, social studies and after school sports such as wrestling and basketball. Antonio Arroyo Congratulations Graduate Melissa (Reedy) Rodriguez, wife of CIRI shareholder Neil Rodriguez, graduated from Brandeis University on May 21. Melissa finished her degree program one year early, and obtained her bachelor's in sociology/legal studies with a focus on race relations. She plans to continue her education at the graduate level in the near future. In addition, Neil and Melissa are expecting their first child in November. continued on page 8 |
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