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Walter Soboleff

1908 – 2011

First Native Alaskan to become an ordained Presbyterian minister

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About Walter Soboleff

Lived 1908 – 2011 (aged 102). Walter Soboleff was an American.

Walter Alexander Soboleff (; ; November 14, 1908 – May 22, 2011) was a Tlingit scholar, elder and religious leader. Soboleff was the first Native Alaskan to become an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Early life Soboleff was born in Killisnoo, Alaska, on November 14, 1908, to a Tlingit mother and a Russian father. Soboleff was born into the Tlingit name Ka'jaḵ'tii, meaning One Slain in Battle. Hundreds of people, including Governor Parnell, attended Soboleff's memorial service at Centennial Hall in Juneau. The service was broadcast live on television throughout the state of Alaska.

In May 2015, the Sealaska Heritage Institute opened the Walter Soboleff Building, a cultural and research center in downtown Juneau, Alaska.

In 2016, Congress created the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children in his memory.

In 2023, the General Assembly of the PCUSA apologized to Walter Soboleff, his family, clan, the former members of Memorial Presbyterian Church, the community as a whole, and made reparations. Bronwen Boswell, the clerk of the PCUSA, said: "The Presbyterian Church USA apologizes for the act of spiritual abuse committed by the Presbyterian Church's decision of closure, which was sadly aligned with nationwide racism toward Alaska Natives, Indigenous nations, Native Americans and other people of color."

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Dubuque, Sheldon Jackson College
Also known as
Walter Alexander Soboleff

People in Walter Soboleff's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Walter Soboleff's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Walter Soboleff?

First Native Alaskan to become an ordained Presbyterian minister

When was Walter Soboleff born?

Walter Soboleff was born on 14 November 1908.

When did Walter Soboleff die?

Walter Soboleff died on 22 May 2011.

What nationality was Walter Soboleff?

Walter Soboleff was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Walter Soboleff

· Wikidata: Q7966165

· DBpedia: Walter Soboleff

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Walter Soboleff. https://biography.guide/walter-soboleff/

MLA: "Walter Soboleff." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/walter-soboleff/.

Chicago: "Walter Soboleff." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/walter-soboleff/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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