Today, as the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention kicks off in Anchorage, Alaskans for Mary launched “Alaska Native Leaders for Mary,” a group made up of more than 100 founding members representing Alaska Natives from across the state who are supporting lifelong Alaskan Mary Peltola in her bid for U.S. Senate, in recognition of her tireless advocacy for Alaska Native communities.
“I’ve spent my life fighting for all Alaska communities – including Alaska Native communities like the one I grew up in – because rural Alaska deserves a fighter who understands our way of life, will take on skyrocketing costs, and will fight to save our fisheries,” said Mary Peltola. “I’m honored to have the support of so many Alaska Native leaders from across the state, and with their support, I will work tirelessly in the Senate to deliver solutions for our state. It’s time DC took action to solve the problems facing communities across Alaska, and as Alaska’s next Senator I will fight every day to lower costs, take on DC corruption, and put Alaska first.”
As Alaska’s U.S. Representative, Mary brought home more than $300 million in federal fishery disaster funding for Alaska fishermen suffering the fallout of depleted fish and crab stocks and secured almost $22 million to support crime victims in Alaska Native communities combat child abuse, and improve public safety. She fought to improve local economies and create jobs in remote Alaska Native communities, bringing home $2 billion dollars in federal funding for broadband in rural Alaska. She worked to expand access to healthcare, mental healthcare, and substance abuse care for Alaska Natives, and fought to improve education, workforce training, and cultural programming for Alaska Native children.
Mary has been a steadfast champion for Alaska Native communities – and in the U.S. Senate, Mary will fight to bring down prices, restore abundance to Alaska fisheries, unleash Alaska oil and gas, ensure Alaska Native communities have a real seat at the table on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, defend the 8(a) program, reverse DC’s harmful cuts to Medicaid and protect the Indian Health Service, pass landless legislation, fund public radio, and secure federal investment in rural Alaska’s infrastructure to ensure every Alaskan has access to clean drinking water, modern sewer systems, and reliable roads that keep every Alaska community healthy and connected.
Most importantly, Mary will keep showing up — in the villages, through unpredictable weather, off the road system, not just at election time — to listen to what Alaska Native communities need and be an independent voice for Alaska Natives in the U.S. Senate.
Read the full list of more than 100 Alaska Native leaders endorsing Mary’s campaign here:
Adela Lane
Alannah Hurley
Aleesha Towns Bain
AlexAnna Salmon
Allen Dahl
Amber Vaska
Ana Hoffman
Andrea Sanders-Burgess
Angela Totemoff
Anna Sattler
Anthony Christianson
Anthony Mallott
April Lynn
Austin Erickson
Ayyu Qassataq
Barbara Blake
Barbara Cadiente
Brooke Woods
Charisse Arce
Charlie Wright
Clinton Cook
Colin McDonald
Courtney Carty
Craig Chythlook
Crystal Worl
Cynthia Petersen
Darlene Trigg
Debby Dahl Edwardson
Deborah Call
Deenaalee Hodgdon
Delaney Thiele
Doug Tansy
Edith Nageak
Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley
Elmer Moonin
Eva Burke
Faye Ewan
Genevieve John
Georgianna Lincoln
Gil Stokes
Gloria Burns
Gloria Wolfe
Haliehana Stepetin
Heather Gatti
Irene Rowan
Jackie Pata
Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer
Jacquii Lambert
Jeremiah James
Jessie Coleman
Jim Labelle
Jodi Mitchell
Joe Nelson
Joe Williams, Jr.
Joseph Valle
Judy Helgesen
Kalani Tucker
Karen Linnell
Kelsi Ivanoff
Kendra Kloster
Láaganaay Tsiits Git’anee
Helena Jacobs
LieuDell Goldsberry
Maija Lukin
Malinda Chase
Marie Sakar
Marina Anderson
Marleah Labelle
Martha Stackhouse
Martin Sensmeier
Mary Patkotak
Matt Anderstrom
Maxine Dibert
Melissa Kookesh
Michelle Demmert
Mike Williams
Millie Hawley
Natasha Hayden
Nellie Jimmie
Nikoosh Carlo
Paula Peterson
Penny Gage
Phillip Blanchette
Raina Thiele*
Ralph Wolfe
Rhoda Jensen
Rico Worl
Rob Sanderson
Roy Ashenfelter
Saima Chase
Sam Schimmel
Sarah Thiele
Stephen Blanchette
Stosh Hoffman
Susan Labelle
Sylvia Lang
Tayler Higgens
Tiffany Tutiakoff
Tom Hundorf
Tommy Tilden
Toni Mallott
Trina Landlord
Tristan Douville
Wilson Justin
Yeidikook’áa Brady-Howard
Asterisks denote affiliation with the Alaskans for Mary campaign.
