Brenda Itta

Brenda Tiggausina Itta-Lee (November 13, 1943 - September 25, 2025) was an Iñupiaq activist and former legislator in Alaska's House of Representatives.

Early life and education Itta was born in Barrow (now Utqiaġvik), Alaska on November 13, 1943 Growing up, Itta was raised in the traditions of Iñupiat culture, speaking only Iñupiaq until she went off to school.

Career and activism In 1966, at age 22, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a receptionist to Senator Ernest Gruening, where she quickly became known as "that Eskimo girl."

From 1974 to 1976 she served as the first Alaska Native woman elected to the House of Representatives , where she served on the House Finance Committee and chaired the subcommittee on Health and Social Services. Itta declined to run for subsequent term, "because [she] needed more inner confidence to better serve [her] people."

Personal life As of 2022, Itta-Lee was married to Johnny H. Lee and had two stepchildren and three grandchildren. She died September 25, 2025.