Willie Hensley

William L. "Willie" Hensley (born June 17, 1941), also known by his Iñupiaq name Iġġiaġruk (IPA: [eʁʁeɑʁʐuk]), is a semi-retired Democratic politician known for his work regarding Native Alaskan land rights. Hensley played a critical role in the creation of the Alaskan Native Claim Settlement (ANCS) of 1971, one of the biggest and most important land claims for native people in US history. Hensley went on to serve a term on the Alaska House of Representatives (1967–1970) then a four-year term in the Alaska Senate (1971–1974).[1] Hensley also served another year on the Alaskan Senate from 1987 to 1988, nominated by the 6th Governor of Alaska Steve Cowper.[2]

William "Willie" Hensley
Iġġiaġruk
Born (1941-06-17) 17 June 1941
Kotzebue, Alaska
CitizenshipAlaska
EducationGeorge Washington University
OccupationPolitician, Educator
Years active1967–1988
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Abigale Hensley
Children4

Hensley also had an eventful career outside of politics, as founder of the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association Regional corporation (NANA), where he served as president for 20 years. Hensley helped form the Alaskan Natives Federation and served as co-chairman, executive director and President.[3] He also is a founder of Maniilaq, a not-for-profit organisation that provides essential services for the tribes of Northwest Alaska.[4]

Since retiring from politics, Hensley has written a book titled “Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People”.[5] The book entails Hensley’s childhood growing up in rural Alaska with extended family and his journey as an Alaskan politician and native rights activist.

Early life and education

Hensley was born into a small community in Northwest Alaska, 40 miles above the Arctic Circle.[6] His father was a Jewish Lithuanian fur trader who Hensley never met, and his mother was an Inupiat Eskimo from Kotzebue. At a young age his mother gave him and his sister to extended family that lived along the Noatak River delta. Hensley grew up without electricity and running water. He and his family hunted and fished in order to survive the nine-month-long Arctic winters.[7]

Hensley attended Bureau of Indian Affairs elementary school.[8] For secondary education, Hensley attended Harrison Chilhowees religious academy in Knoxville, Tennessee.[8] A Baptist missionary chose and arranged the details in order for Hensley to attend the boarding school. At boarding school, Hensley was a one-time halfback and the co-caption of the school’s football team as well as being voted class president.[5]

Graduating from his senior year Hensley chose to study at George Washington University in Washington D.C.[8]  He obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in economics.[6] Hensley studied law at the University of Alaska (1966), University of New Mexico (1967) and University of California (1968).[8]  Hensley was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alaska in 1980.[8][9]

Political career

ANSCA

Hensley’s involvement with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act stemmed from the publishing of his essay “What Rights to Land Have the Alaska Native:  The Primary Issue”. The essay highlighted Indigenous history and the treatment by the United States as well the laws that governed their right to land rights.[10] Hensley’s paper was handed out in the first Alaskan Federation of Native convention, which he co-chaired. Hensley and a handful of other Alaskan Natives tirelessly lobbied the government in Washington until 1971 when ANCSA was created and enacted. This act, signed by President Nixon in 1971, gave Alaskan natives 44 million acres of land as well as a $963 billion payment.[11] The land and payment received were shared between 12 regional Alaskan native corporations, one of which Hensley founded.[2]

Alaskan House of Representatives

In 1966, at the age of 25, Hensley was elected to a position in the House of Representatives for ten years.[12] and was re-elected to the House in 1968 for another two years.[1] Hensley was a Democratic member for both terms and took special interest in native affairs.

Alaskan Senate

Hensley was first elected to the Alaskan Senate in 1971 for a four-year term.[13] He served on the subcommittees of water resources and of Indian affairs.[14]

Hensley was appointed to the Alaskan Senate for the second time on 20 January 1987 until 1988. He was elected to fill a vacant seat due to the resignation of senator Frank Ferguson.[3]  Hensley was one of eight Democratic candidates in the Senate and was the representative for senate district L. During his term Hensley was in the standing committees for Finance, Rules and State Affairs.[3] Hensley also served as Commissioner of Commerce under Alaskan Governor Tony Knowles.[6]

1974 Alaskan Congressional Election

In 1974, the Alaska Congressional election of 1974 decided Alaska's sole representative to the United States House of Representatives for a two-year term, from 1975–77. Hensley ran as the Democratic candidate, but lost to Republican candidate Don Young by 7.68 per cent[15][16]

Alaska's 1974 Congressional Election [17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Don Young (inc.) 51,641 53.84
Democratic Willie Hensley 44,280 46.16
Total votes 95,921 100.00
Republican hold

Commissioner of Commerce

In 1994, Hensley was chosen by Alaskan Governor Tony Knowles to be Commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development.[8] In this position he became responsible for Alaska's involvement in national tourism, international trade, seafood marketing, insurance and securities.[6]

Professional career

Alaskan Federation of Natives

Hensley was a principal founder of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) in 1966, serving as president, executive director, president and cochair of the association.[8]  The state-wide organisation was initially created to assist Alaskan natives implement ANSCA and to set up the regional corporations required under the act.[18] After those initial challenges were enacted, the AFN evolved to respond to the modern challenges of protecting and providing a political voice for Native issues. Hensley chaired the first AFN convention that was to create the land claims committee in order to achieve a united front regarding the recognition of native land claims and to establish native Alaskans as a strong political force.[18] During the 60s, Hensley was involved in the AFN’s lobbying in Washington D.C for legislation to be enacted to recognise native land rights and claims in Alaska.[4]

“What gave AFN the ability to move the Nation was the strong spirits of its membership and the ability to focus on the key issues of the day. . . We faced pressures from state politicians as well as members of Congress and our own internal warfare. We persevered, knowing that if we gave up due to our egos being hurt or our issues being ignored, that our people would be the ones to suffer."

— Willie Hensley, Speech to the First Annual Native Hawaiian-Alaska Native Summit, July 6, 2001

NANA Regional Corporation
Hensley, 1973

Willie Hensley’s contribution to the implementation of the ANSCA led to becoming executive director of one of the regional corporations formed under the Act.[8] The ANSCA applied to the over 200 hundred Native villages and areas in Alaska state, with each area assigned a regional corporation.[19] The 12 regional corporations are responsible for 70 percent of all revenues received by each Regional Corporation that were to be divided among all 12 Regional Corporations in proportion to the number of Alaska natives enrolled in each region.[19][20] Hensley became executive director of the Northwest Alaska Native Association (NANA). The corporation’s goals were to pursue land claims, prioritise Inupiat education, promote political participation, and to improve the overall condition of native living standards.[20][21] Hensley’s Inupiat culture led to the strong movement within NANA for programs to revitalise the culture and social problems his people were facing.[22] To symbolise this solidarity NANA’s official symbol is an Iñupiaq hunter moving toward a successful future in a vast, beautiful and sometimes harsh world. Hensley also led a NANA subsidiary, NANA Development Corp,  that manages native corporations' business portfolio.[23] Hensley served as director of the corporation for over 20 years, before becoming its president.[24]

Hensley’s involvement as director/president of NANA extended to his involvement with the development of the Red Dog mine. Located at Delong Mountain Range about 90 miles north of Kotzebue, Red Dog is one of the world's largest zinc and lead mines, it produces 10 perent of the world's zinc production.[20][25] The mine was developed under an innovative operating agreement and NANA shareholders receive direct benefits from development at the mine.[20] As president at the time, Hensley was one of the main coordinators of the mine and the partnership between NANA, which owned the lands, and Teck, the company that operated the mine.[26]

Maniilaq

In 1966, Hensley was one of the founders of the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association (NANA).[6] The non-profit corporation was responsible for the advocation of native issues, the economic, medical and social assistance of native communities and peoples, and the raising of institutions and activities crucial to well-being of native persons.[27][28] When the ANSCA was passed, the for-profit NANA regional corporation that Hensley was executive director of was established. Therefore, the nonprofit NANA changed their name to Manillaq to avoid confusion.[28]

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company

In 1997, Hensley joined the company Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.[8] The company operates and maintains the trans-Alaska Pipeline System.[29] Hensley was appointed Manager of Federal government relations head of the Washington D.C.[6] Hensley's responsibilities included acting as liaison between Alyeska staff and native Alaskan communities.[30]

Educator

Since 2011, Hensley became a distinguished visiting professor at the University of Alaska in the Department of Business and Public Policy.[31][4] Hensley has also taught “Alaska policy Frontiers’ at the university, which entails the history and colonisation of Alaska and the impact on modern-day natives and Alaskans.[4]

Publications

Essay: What Rights to Land Have the Alaska Native:  The Primary Issue"

In 1966, Hensley wrote a paper for a constitutional law class at the University of Alaska. The essay was titled “ "What Rights to Land Have the Alaska Native:  The Primary Issue". The essay discussed American Indian history and their treatment by the United States and the corresponding laws based on agreements between natives and the State. The essay goes into detail about laws such as Indian Claims Commission Act and the Statehood Act and how they affect Indigenous tribes and people within the US. The essay propelled Hensley towards native American activism by beginning the process of going to his hometown of Kotzebue to start claiming back the land for natives. The essay also catalysed the formation of what is now known as the Alaskan Federation of Natives in 1966.

Book: “Fifty Miles from Tomorrow ; a memoir of Alaska and the real people"

Hensley published his biography “Fifty Miles from Tomorrow ; a memoir of Alaska and the real people” on 23 December 2008.[32] The book features photos and testimonies from Hensley’s childhood as he recounts growing up in northern Alaska and the hardships faced by him and his adoptive family.[7] The book goes on to talk about his political journey within Alaskan politics and legislation in order to bring Native Alaskan issues to the forefront of Alaskan politics[33]

Personal life

Hensley married his wife Abigale Hensley in 1974 and they have four children.[34] Hensley and his wife now live in Anchorage.

References
  1. Harrison, G.S (1973). "Notes on Alaskan Native Electoral politics". Polar Record. 16: 691–700.
  2. Hensley, E (2016). "Look back to go forward.(Special Issue on the Forty-Fifth Anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act)". Alaska Law Review. 33.
  3. Alaska State Legislature. (n.d.). Directory: Fifteenth Legislature 1987–1988. Junea, Alaska. http://akleg.gov/docs/pdf/Directory/87%2088%20B%20dir.pdf
  4. Dennis, Y.W (2016). Native American Almanac: More than 50,000 Years of the Cultures and Histories of Indigenous Peoples. Canton, MI: Visible Ink Press. ISBN 1578596076.
  5. Garner, D (2009). "Growing Up and Getting by in the Land of the Nine-Month Winter". New York Times.
  6. "Biography: William L. Hensley". Alaskool. n.d.
  7. Vanasse, D (2008). "[Review of Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People]". Bookforum. 15.
  8. Nuttal, Mark (2005). Encyclopedia of the Arctic. Routledge. pp. 853–855. ISBN 1136786805.
  9. "Meet the Dialogue Participants". Alaska Public Media. 2012.
  10. Alaska Native Land Claims: Hearings Before the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States Senate, Ninetieth Congress, Second Session on S. 2906, a Bill to Authorize the Secretary of the Interior to Grant Certain Lands to Alaska Natives, Settle Alaska Native Land Claims. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1968. p. 66.
  11. Huhndorf, R (2011). "Alaska native politics since the alaska native claims settlement act". South Atlantic Quarterly. 110.
  12. "100 Years of Alaska's Legislature". The Alaska State Legislation.
  13. Tarpley, P (2014). "Note from the Editor. (Editorial)". Alaska Law Review. 31.
  14. Water Resources Developments and Navigational Improvements in Alaska: Hearings, Ninety-third Congress, First Session. Anchorage, AK: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1973. pp. 171–173.
  15. "Alaska's At-Large Congressional District". BallotPedia.
  16. "Statistics of the General Election" (PDF). 1975.
  17. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1974election.pdf
  18. "History". Alaska Federation of Natives. n.d.
  19. Smiddy, L.O (2005). "RESPONDING TO PROFESSOR JANDA - THE U.S. EXPERIENCE: THE ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT (ANCSA) REGIONAL CORPORATION AS A FORM OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE". Vermont Law Review. 30: 823–828.
  20. "Alaska Native Corporations: Background". Resource Development Council. n.d.
  21. "About Us". NANA. n.d.
  22. Mcnabb, Steven (1991). "Elders, Iñupiat Ilitqusiat, and Culture Goals in Northwest Alaska". Anthropology. 28: 63–76.
  23. Lasley, Shane (2017). "Mining News: Willie Hensley joins Trilogy board". Petroleum News.
  24. McConnell, Sharon (n.d.). "Willie Hensley". LitSite.
  25. Anonymous (2010). "Red Dog Mine's life extended to 2031". Mining Engineering. 62: 12 – via Proquest.
  26. McClean, Ron (1994). Mining and indigenous peoples : The Red Dog Mine Story. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: International Council on Metals and the Environment. pp. 16–28. ISBN 1895720036.
  27. David, S (2012). Alaska Natives and American Laws: Third Edition. University of Alaska Press. p. 354. ISBN 1602231761.
  28. "About Us". Maniilaq. n.d.
  29. "About Us". Alyeska Pipeline. n.d.
  30. "The Impact of the Pipeline on Alaska Natives". Public Broadcasting Service. n.d.
  31. Trilogy (2017). "Trilogy Metals Appoints Alaska Native Leader, Willie Hensley to the Board of Directors". Cision.
  32. "Fifty Miles from Tomorrow". Indie bound. n.d.
  33. Gropman, J (2009). "[Review of Hensley, William L.: Iggiagruk. Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People.(Young adult review)(Brief article)(Book review)]". School Library Journal. 55.
  34. "Class of 2019". Alaska Women's Hall of Fame. 2019.

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