History
The organization was founded in Sitka in 1912. Two Tlingit brothers were the primary organizers.
The founding "fathers" included a woman. They were:
- Peter Simpson, Canadian-born Tsimshian. Known as the father of the ANB.
- Ralph Young, Sitka
- Chester Worthington, Wrangell
- James C. Jackson, Klawock
- Paul Liberty, Sitka
- Seward Kunz, Juneau
- Frank Mercer, Juneau
- Frank Price, Sitka
- George Fields, Klawock
- Eli Katanook, Angoon
- James Watson, Juneau
- William Hobson, Angoon
- Marie Moon Orsen, Klukwan (Secretary)
Andrew Wanamaker (father of Elizabeth Peratrovich) Sitka, a Tlingit Presbyterian minister, is regarded as an "Honorary Founder".
The Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, built in 1914 on the waterfront in Sitka, was the first facility owned by the organization. For the significance of the ANB, the hall has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
During the 1930s, the Alaska Native Brotherhood obtained at least one Civilian Conservation Corps grant from the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration to restore and preserve totem poles. One $24,000 grant enabled work with architect Linn A. Forrest, an American architect of Juneau, to construct the Shakes Island Community House and to preserve totems at Wrangell in 1937-1939 during the Great Depression.
Elizabeth Peratrovich (née Wanamaker), member and grand president of the ANS, did organizing, wrote petitions, and testified to the state senate in 1945 for civil rights of Alaska Natives. She helped win passage of the 1945 state anti-discrimination act. In 1988, the State of Alaska designated a state holiday, February 16, on the anniversary of passage of the bill, designating it "Elizabeth Peratrovich Day".
Read more about this topic: Alaska Native Brotherhood/Sisterhood
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