William "Willie" Hensley | |
|---|---|
| Iġġiaġruk | |
 Willie Hensley in 2013 | |
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| In office January 23, 1967 – January 11, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Jacob A. Stalker |
| Succeeded by | Frank R. Ferguson |
| Member of the Alaska Senate from the K district (J district 1971–1973) | |
| In office January 11, 1971 – January 20, 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Robert R. Blodgett |
| Succeeded by | Redistricted |
| Member of the Alaska Senate from the L district | |
| In office January 20, 1987 – January 9, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Frank R. Ferguson |
| Succeeded by | Albert P. Adams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 June 1941 Kotzebue, Alaska, United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Abigale Hensley |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | George Washington University |
| Occupation | Politician, educator |
William L. "Willie" Hensley (born June 17, 1941), also known by his Iñupiaq name Iġġiaġruk (IPA: [eʁʁeɑʁʐuk]), is a semi-retired Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Alaska known for his work regarding Native Alaskan land rights. Hensley played a critical role in the creation of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, one of the largest and most important land claims by indigenous peoples in U.S. history. Hensley went on to serve a term in the Alaska House of Representatives (1967–1970), and then a four-year term in the Alaska Senate (1971–1974).[1] Hensley also served another year in the Alaska Senate from 1987 to 1988, when he was nominated by 6th Governor of Alaska Steve Cowper.[2]
Hensley has also had an influential career outside of politics, as founder of the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association Regional corporation (NANA), where he served as president for 20 years. He also 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 organization 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.
- ^ Harrison, G.S (1973). "Notes on Alaskan Native Electoral politics". Polar Record. 16 (104): 691–700. Bibcode:1973PoRec..16..691H. doi:10.1017/S0032247400063634. S2CID 129919586.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Alaska State Legislature. (n.d.). Directory: Fifteenth Legislature 1987–1988. Juneau, Alaska. http://akleg.gov/docs/pdf/Directory/87%2088%20B%20dir.pdf
- ^ 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 978-1578596072.
- ^ Garner, D (2009). "Growing Up and Getting by in the Land of the Nine-Month Winter". New York Times.