NEWS: Legislature Makes Alaska Native Languages Official State Languages

Rep. Johnathan Kreiss-Tomkins

JUNEAU - Just after 3:00 a.m. this morning, the Alaska Legislature approved legislation (HB 216) making each of the Native languages in Alaska an official language of the state. The Alaska Senate voted 18-2 to approve the measure today in front of dozens of supporters. A spontaneous grassroots sit-in involving well over 100 people started at noon in the Capitol and lasted until 3 a.m. The measure has had tremendous public support throughout the process, including rare applause from supporters in both the Senate and House galleries and impromptu celebrations in the Capitol hallways as the bill moved through the committee process.

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NEWS: Legislature Creates Dr. Walter Soboleff Day

AK State and Flag

Today, the Alaska state Senate voted unanimously to set aside November 14 of each year to honor the life and work of Dr. Walter A Soboleff, a revered Tlingit elder who passed away in 2011 at the age of 102. Late last month, the Alaska state House passed the measure which now goes to the governor for his signature.

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