February 23, 2008
Saturday

Ketchikan, Alaska - In honor of Elizabeth Peratrovich's historic leadership the communities of Saxman and Ketchikan organized several social and public events to commemorate Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. This year a RALLY was planned by Saxman Camp 15, in which ANB ANS members rallied with signs and banners at the corner of Jefferson and North Tongass Highway on February 15, 2008 in honor of Elizabeth Peratrovich's noble efforts.

"The RALLY was successful," said Winona Wallace, "ANB/ANS members cheered on and they were proud to hold signs in Peratrovich's honor."

Star Bucks supported the cause and kept the group warm with specialty coffee, and Key Bank supported the efforts by allowing the participants to gather in front of their business. The Rally was a success with approximately 25 participants said Winona Wallace.

The Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) and Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) is a fraternal organization established in 1912. Each Alaska Southeast Village and several urban Northwest Coast and Alaskan cities have "Camp" organizations. The Saxman Camp is #15 and the Ketchikan Camp is #14. The ANB/ANS organization has served Alaska in many ways, including assisting in the development of a better Native society and in the preservation of Native culture, and ensuring all people are treated equally. The first Charter for the Alaska Native Brotherhood was formed in Sitka, Alaska by a group known as the founding fathers.

Elizabeth Peratrovich, a civil rights leader in her time, 1911 - 1958, was born on July 4, 1911 in Petersburg, Alaska. Her Tlingit name was Kaaxgal.aat. She was of the Lukaax.adi clan of the Raven moiety. Peratrovich attended Petersburg Elementary School, Sheldon Jackson School, and graduated from Ketchikan High School. She continued her studies at Western College of Education in Bellingham, Washington. She married Roy Peratrovich of Klawock on December 15, 1931 in Bellingham, Washington.

Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich moved back to Alaska to raise their family in 1941. In moving from Klawock to Juneau, they were astonished to discover signs in business establishments revealing blatant discrimination against Alaska's Native people. With the help of then Governor Ernest Gruening and Congressional Representative Anthony J. Dimond, legislation was sponsored and introduced in the Legislature in 1943. However, the "Equal Rights" Bill did not pass until the next legislative session in 1945.

As Grand Camp President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, Elizabeth Peratrovich provided the crucial testimony that cultivated passage of the Anti Discrimination Bill.

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Ketchikan, Alaska