On my way to Tok and Fairbanks to witness the honoring of Katie John
Friday, May 13, 2011 at 7:07AM ;)
This is Ahtna Athabascan elder Katie John addressing then-Governor Tony Knowles at her fishcamp at Batzulnetas on Tanada Creek in the summer of 2001. When she was small, her father would bring her family here and they would catch salmon. Tanada Creek flows into the Copper River about 200 yards from this spot and it was there where, following in her father's way, Katie John once set up a fishwheel only to have a state ranger tell her she must take it down.
It may not look like it, but Katie John is fighting here - fighting for the rights of herself, her family, and all Alaska Natives to fish to feed their families free from state interference, as their ancestors had. So far, in an an extremely long and complicated battle that had gone to the US Supreme Court and just about back again.
She had won the latest appeal and now there was one step left - the US Supreme Court, and that step was in the hands of Governor Knowles. He had a deadline to appeal and if he did not, her victory would become permanent. Yet, it would also mean that the federal government, not the state, would have jurisdiction over navigable waters that the state now wanted to claim.
Knowles was under tremendous pressure from inside and outside Alaska government and it appeared that he likely would appeal. First, though, he wanted to visit Katie at her fish camp. Then he would make his final decision. This is that visit. After listening to Katie, he decided not to appeal. She had then won.
On Sunday, Katie, who is also highly respected for her contributions to the preservation and teaching of her Native language and culture, will be awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree. She helped create the Ahtna alphabet and dictionary. Through the summer camps that she has sponsored at Batzulnetas and other events, she has also labored lovingly to teach their culture to the children of her area. She and her husband, Mentasta Traditional Chief Fred John, raised 14 children and six foster children of their own John will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Today, she will be honored in a pre-graduation ceremony in Tok. I plan to be at both.
I do not expect to make any further posts until Monday, after I return home. Then I will share more.
