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Juneau Empire Feb.16,1984 History article clarified Dear Editor: In your publication of Feb. 9, there appeared an article in the opinion section with a heading "Black History Month." The article apparently was prepared by the Citizens for a United Black Community based on information supplied by Blanche McSmith. While I hold Mrs. McSmith in the highest regard, the information contained therein needs clarification. The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood sponsored and had introduced the first anti-discrimination legislation in the 1943 territorial legislature. Our bill was defeated by a tie vote in the House, eight to eight. In those territorial days we had 16 representatives in the House and eight senators. The territorial legislature met every other year, so we waited until 1945 to have the bill reintroduced. To say that we had strong opposition, and animosities, would be an understatement of the year. My wife, Elizabeth, who has since passed away, was Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood and I was Grand President of the Alaska Native Brotherhood. Since we were not successful in getting witnesses, just she and I testified in the legislature in support of our bill. We had "heavy weight" appearing in opposition to the bill, one a noted attorney and another a church pillar. The good Lord must have felt sorry for us, because the first anti-discrimination bill passed with flying colors. If one checks the records, they will find that my wife's testimony did it all. All during those years we were not aware that the NAACP was in existence, nor did we see a Black around in support of the bill. There were only a few in Alaska during that period, but we had an influx of Blacks after the passage of our bill in 1945. So far as I now [[know]] there have been only two cases tried unde [[under]] the law, both by Blacks who were denied equal accommodations. The proprietors were both found guilty of violating the anti-discrimination law. The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood have been, and still are, the advocates of minority rights - we fought for the rights of all minorities, and we never tried to set ourselves apart from others. I believe in giving credit where credit is due, and the A.N.B. and A.N.S. deserve this recognition for their undying effort to protect the rights of all minorities. I hope we can all coordinate our efforts to work for a common cause - the rights of all minorities. The information contained herein is factual and can be verified by checking the 1943-1945 records of the territorial legislature. Following protocol, I have cleared this letter with the present Grand President of the Alaska Native Brotherhood, Ronald Williams. We shall appreciate having this letter of correction printed. The A.N.B. was organized in 1912 and is the oldest Indian organization in the United States. Thank you. Sincerely, Roy Peratrovich, Sr. Grand President Emeritus Alaska Native Brotherhood 9328 Glacier Highway Juneau 99801
