The majority of the time, it falls on February. 16 — Elizabeth Peratrovich Day — the Alaska Native Sisterhood commemorates this day to commemorate the passage of the Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Act first by visiting the grave of its advocate, Kaaxgal.aat Elizabeth Peratrovich. They then encourage Alaska Native activists to continue her work.
Jamainn S’eiltin Hsselquist in the Alaska Native Sisterhood, went to Peratrovich and her husband’s graves a few days earlier to clear any snow.
Its style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”We all have jobs. All of us can go to restaurants. Everyone can speak their native language. We’re all living the footsteps of Elizabeth and her spirit. So the goal this morning was to gather and allow people to be heard,” Hasselquist said.
Peratrovich is believed to be responsible for being the main force behind turning the legislative favor to pass legislation governing the Anti-Discrimination Act by challenging Alaska Legislators who opposed the legislation.
“When someone brave is before a not so brave senator, and they take him to account and that’s exactly what happened. We’re very proud of the brave lady,” said Alaska Native Brotherhood Glacier Valley President Peter Naoroz.
In the following day, on the Capitol steps at the Capitol steps, the Alaska Native Sisterhood was the main organizer of an action that was designed to draw the attention of those who are carrying on the legacy of Peratrovich’s.
span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Some of you are holding signs, and signs of significant topics. However, we don’t only consider you to be holding signs,” Hasselquist said. “We are seeing you moving with the energy of Elizabeth. You’re using the most effective tool: the voice, and the presence .”
Shaash Kwan Raven Svenson’s sign read “Aatlein gunalcheesh Kaaxgal.aat,” and that’s the theme of this holiday for her. She’s appreciative of Peratrovich’s commitment for Alaska Native rights.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Just thankful for the results of this. All that work was done to help us today. The freedoms I enjoy are my own because she’s stood up to it,” she said.
Svenson was at the event as part of his University of Southeast Alaska student group Wooch.een. Almeria Alcantra was, too. She’s been involved in the field of tribal advocacy since.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”I believe that far all too frequently Indigenous people are not part of the conversation, but we’re there for a while and we’re here to stay,” they said.
Students said Peratrovich is a source of inspiration for them when they work on projects such as language revitalization initiatives and advocating for Alaska Native rights in legislation and ensuring that there is room to Indigenous students in academics.
A part of that legacy is promoting civil rights today, students claimed, and the group wore signs supporting bills such as one that funds the mental health programs in schools , and another bill which would expand the insurance coverage for contraceptives. The group also fought against a bill that would restrict school sports on the basis of students’ gender at birth.
