ANCHORAGE, Alaska-On October 7, the Indigenous Alaskans were honored in two ways. First, Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed House Bill 126 into law, declaring November as Alaska Native Heritage Month. The bill reads, in part, "Alaska Native Heritage Month may be observed by schools, community groups, and other public and private agencies and individuals with appropriate activities to honor and recognize the contributions made by Alaska Natives in the history of this state and the United States."
"The history of Alaska's native peoples is the history of Alaska," Gov. Dunleavy said. "Without it, Alaska's history is not complete. Eleven distinct cultures encompass every part of this great state."
Later in the day, the U.S. Mint revealed the newest $1 coin featuring Alaskan Native leader and civil rights advocate Elizabeth Peratrovich, who was instrumental in the passage of the country's first anti-discrimination law, the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, which prohibited discrimination in Alaska based on race. Peratrovich also served as the Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood. The coin also shows a formline representation of her Tlingit Raven moiety.
"The coin will be a lasting tribute to Elizabeth Peratrovich to tear down the wall of discrimination against Alaska Natives," said U.S. Mint Chief Administrative Officer Patrick Hernandez. "Perhaps Elizabeth was like the raven, crying out until the darkness of discrimination was dispelled."
At least five million of the new coins will be available in 2020.
This coin sketch shows the design for the reverse of the 2020 Sacagawea gold dollar coin, which features Alaska Native civil rights leader Elizabeth Peratrovich. It is one of two designs being considered by the U.S. Secretary of Treasury.
