HB 126-ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE MONTH  8:27:00 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 126, "An Act establishing November as Alaska Native Heritage Month." 8:27:07 AM GRACE RENEE SINGH, Staff, Representative Tiffany Zulkosky, Alaska State Legislature, introduced herself as the committee aide for the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. 8:27:16 AM ANASTASIA PLEASANT, Public Policy Fellow, First Alaskans Institute, introduced herself as a participant in the Senator Ted Stevens Legislative Internship Program at the University of Alaska. 8:27:27 AM MS. SINGH said HB 126 would establish the month of November each year as Alaska Native Heritage Month, which she explained may be observed by schools, community groups, and other public and private agencies and individuals. She continued that Alaska Native Heritage Month may be observed with appropriate activities to honor and recognize statewide and national contributions made by Alaska Natives. 8:27:53 AM MS. PLEASANT said the purpose of HB 126 is to celebrate and recognize the rich cultures of Alaska Natives throughout the state. She stated that Alaska Native people have occupied the land now known as the State of Alaska for thousands of years. 8:28:13 AM MS. SINGH stated that Alaska Native cultures, languages, and traditions significantly contribute to Alaska's history, economy, and diverse identity. She said HB 126 would recognize Alaska's unique heritage, its cultural appreciation, and the community relationships that help unify all Alaskans. 8:28:31 AM MS. PLEASANT said HB 126 would formally acknowledge the many contributions and sacrifices, as well as the resilience, of Alaska Natives. She added that this is something every community, culture, and tradition in Alaska can celebrate. 8:28:51 AM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO commended Ms. Singh and Ms. Pleasant on their presentation. CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened invited testimony on HB 126. 8:29:22 AM LIZ MEDICINE CROW, Director, First Alaskans Institute, introduced herself in both English and Tlingit, as well as offered information about her family and background. She said it was an honor to testify before the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. She expressed her appreciation for the establishment of the committee and shared that she looks forward to its continued work. She said she also looks forward to the committee being made permanent. She echoed Mr. Ivan's previous testimony about the committee being a medium through which the voices of Alaska Native people can be heard. MS. MEDICINE CROW said she supports HB 126 and offered her congratulations to the committee that HB 126 is the first bill to be introduced by the committee itself. On why HB 126 is important, she reflected on first learning about Native American Heritage Month upon graduating from high school in 1990. She recalled feeling that it was about time someone recognized the contributions of Native peoples. She said she was surprised to learn that Native American Heritage Month is not permanently established. She shared her appreciation that HB 126 would make Alaska Native Heritage Month a "permanent structure of celebration She recalled having recently been in Sitka during a celebration of the return of the herring. She mused on the spiritual connection between Alaska Natives and their homeland. She said that connection has to be celebrated and honored. She opined that the creation of an opportunity for all Alaskans to celebrate Alaska Natives together would be a good way to honor and lift up Alaska Natives. 8:33:48 AM MS. MEDICINE CROW shared that November is a fitting time to celebrate, as it is when fall and winter meet. She paused to acknowledge that the Juneau area is Auke Kwaan and Taku Kwaan territory. She explained that local "parties" and "doings" occur in the winter months after the completion of the harvest. She said this is why November is a good fit for celebrating and honoring Alaska Native peoples. She noted as well that it is a convenient time for schools, communities, and other entities to put effort into celebrating the legacy, leadership, and love of Alaska Native people. 8:35:33 AM PAULETTE MORENO, Grand President, Alaska Native Sisterhood, introduced herself in Tlingit. She reminded the committee that she represents the Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) as Grand President. She noted that ANS and the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) are the oldest known civil rights organizations for Native people in the United States of America. She said ANS and ANB were among the first organizations to fight for Native civil, spiritual, and land rights, as well as for resources and ways of life. She expressed appreciation on behalf of ANB and ANS for the establishment of the committee. She commented that the committee room has been filled not just with English words, but also with words in Native languages. She said, "It is a reverent time, it is a beautiful time, it is a powerful time." MS. MORENO said ANS, in equal partnership with ANB, is in total support of HB 126. She mused on the significance of the bill and its unique opportunity to recognize Alaska Native heritage. She referenced a piece of copper worn around her neck as a symbol of worth - a "tana." She said the symbol of worth of HB 126 would be a clear articulation by the State of Alaska of its recognition of Native peoples across Alaska. She said it would offer an opportunity for Alaskans and other Americans to celebrate the diverse culture of Alaska Natives. She mused on Alaska Natives as "caretakers of this land" and discussed the ways Alaska Natives preserve culture and resources. She opined that HB 126 would do more than just "recognize November." She said it would recognize the people who are "standing there silent no more." She stated, "We are not backing down on any of our current fights; we are standing up and standing strong." MS. MORENO noted that 2020 will mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. She recognized the efforts of Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich to secure passage of the act. Ms. Moreno said she is sure that Ms. Peratrovich and other organizers are "in this room spiritually watching us today." She connected HB 126 to the causes for which Ms. Peratrovich fought. She noted that the United States Mint will distribute coins to commemorate Ms. Peratrovich, and that the eyes of the nation will be on Alaska to see how far the state has come. She stressed that the legislature can "add worth" to the state by passing HB 126. 8:42:13 AM JOE WILLIAMS, Grand President, Alaska Native Brotherhood, introduced himself. He mused on Ms. Moreno's discussion of Ms. Peratrovich and how far Alaska has come as a state. He recalled past times when there were signs that read, "no dogs or Indians allowed." He spoke about the power of the events that took place 75 years ago with the passage of the Alaska Anti- Discrimination Act of 1945. He expressed total support for HB 126 on behalf of ANS and ANB. He echoed the sentiments of previous speakers. He relayed that he is 75 years old. He said that, in those 75 years, he has worked diligently to speak the English language and to follow the laws of the State of Alaska and the United States of America. He said that, with the passage of HB 126, it would be the responsibility of committee members to learn to say "thank you" in all the Alaska Native languages. He taught committee members to say "thank you" in Tlingit by having them repeat "gunalcheesh." He asked committee members to learn to say "thank you" in other Alaska Native languages. He thanked the committee for the opportunity to testify. 8:45:51 AM REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ sought to recognize the individuals present in the room. He noted that Mr. Williams was formerly mayor of Ketchikan Gateway Borough. He commended Mr. Williams' ability to command a room. He relayed his appreciation and support for HB 126. 8:47:01 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY thanked Ms. Moreno and Mr. Williams both for their testimony. 8:47:32 AM The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:47 a.m. 8:47:54 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened public testimony on HB 126. 8:48:11 AM IVAN M. IVAN introduced himself and expressed his support for HB 126. He asked that Chair Zulkosky permit him to present his testimony in the Yupik language. CHAIR ZULKOSKY granted his request. MR. IVAN, before delivering his prepared testimony, relayed that his testimony is dedicated to his grandchildren, so that they can watch the testimony in the future and be proud that their language was spoken in committee and was respected. He mused on how HB 126 would recognize and celebrate Alaska Native culture, heritage, and language. He said it is important that Alaska Native children be proud of themselves and not feel low or feel like failures in times when they do not achieve their goals. He spoke of the importance of Alaska Natives being confident in themselves. He reiterated his support for HB 126 because of the strength and opportunities it would create. He said it would give Alaska Native children an identity to be proud of and to be celebrated. He reiterated the importance of teaching young people strength and resilience. MR. IVAN provided the rest of his testimony in Yupik. 8:53:19 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY thanked Mr. Ivan for traveling to Juneau to speak about issues that are important to him and his community. She thanked him as well for "bringing our language into this building." She thanked him for his testimony. 8:53:49 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY, after ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 126. CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that HB 126 would be held for further review.