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Feb. 16, 2024听
Dear faculty, staff and students,
Please join me today in celebrating Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, a day that honors a
significant leader in Alaska鈥檚 civil rights history. Peratrovich, a Tlingit woman
and Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, was instrumental in passing the
Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 that banned discrimination based on race in Alaska.
The Anti-Discrimination Act was the first state or territorial anti-discrimination
law enacted in the United States.听
As we reflect on Peratrovich's legacy, there are numerous ways we can continue to
build on her work at UAF. Our initiative to build the Troth Yeddha鈥� Indigenous Studies
Center strives to create a central Alaska Native gathering place with classes, services
and activities that affirm Alaska Native culture and contributions across Alaska.
At the Indigenous studies center, leaders, students, scientists, and community members
will finally have a place to gather together and continue to make UAF a place of belonging
for all. You can learn more and get involved on the Troth Yeddha鈥� Initiative website.听
Next week, UAF will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Festival of Native Arts from Feb. 22-24. This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淭roth Yeddha鈥� Forever: Our Ways of Life鈥� honors
the ancestral lands of the Lower Tanana Dene where our Troth Yeddha鈥� campus is located.
I encourage you to participate in this unique, student-run event. Thank you to everyone
who makes this event possible!
Thank you for working to make UAF a place of respect, diversity, inclusion and caring.
Thanks for choosing UAF.
Dan White, chancellor
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