Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/09/2019 08:00 AM House TRIBAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HR6 | |
| HB126 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
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.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HR006 Sponsor Statement 4.8.19.pdf |
HMLV 4/30/2019 1:00:00 PM HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HR 6 |
| HB 126 Sponsor Statement 4.9.2019.pdf |
HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB0126 4.9.2019.PDF |
HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HR0006A.PDF |
HMLV 4/30/2019 1:00:00 PM HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HR 6 |
| HR 6 Supporting Document Angapak Testimony.pdf |
HMLV 4/30/2019 1:00:00 PM HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HR 6 |