Willie Hensley

William L. "Willie" Hensley (born June 17, 1941), also known by his Iñupiaq name Iġġiaġruk , is a semi-retired Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Alaska known for his work regarding Native Alaskan land rights. Hensley played a critical role in the creation of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, one of the largest and most important land claims by indigenous peoples in U.S. history. Hensley went on to serve a term in the Alaska House of Representatives (1967–1970), and then a four-year term in the Alaska Senate (1971–1974). Hensley also served another year in the Alaska Senate from 1987 to 1988, when he was nominated by 6th Governor of Alaska Steve Cowper.

Hensley has also had an influential career outside of politics, as founder of the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association Regional corporation (NANA), where he served as president for 20 years. He also helped form the Alaskan Natives Federation and served as co-chairman, executive director, and president. He also is a founder of Maniilaq, a not-for-profit organization that provides essential services for the tribes of Northwest Alaska.

Since retiring from politics, Hensley has written a book titled Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People. The book entails Hensley's childhood growing up in rural Alaska with extended family and his journey as an Alaskan politician and native rights activist.

Early life and education Hensley was born into a small community in Northwest Alaska, 40 miles above the Arctic Circle.

Hensley attended Bureau of Indian Affairs elementary school. For secondary education, Hensley attended Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy now known as The King's Academy in Seymour, Tennessee. Hensley studied law at the University of Alaska (1966), University of New Mexico (1967) and University of California (1968).

Political career

ANSCA Hensley's involvement with the Alaska Native land claims issue stemmed from the publishing of his essay "What Rights to Land Have the Alaska Native: The Primary Issue". The essay highlighted Indigenous history and the treatment by the United States as well the laws that governed their right to land rights. Hensley's paper was handed out in the first Alaskan Federation of Native convention, which he co-chaired. Hensley and a handful of other Alaskan Natives tirelessly lobbied the government in Washington until the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was passed. This act, signed by President Nixon in 1971, gave Alaskan natives 44 million acres of land as well as a $963 million payment. The land and payment received were shared between 12 regional Alaskan native corporations, one of which Hensley founded. and was re-elected to the House in 1987 for another two years. He served on the subcommittees of water resources and of Indian affairs.

Hensley was appointed to the Alaskan Senate for the second time on 20 January 1987 until 1988. He was elected to fill a vacant seat due to the resignation of senator Frank Ferguson. Election box begin no change|title=Alaska's 1974 Congressional Election After those initial challenges were enacted, the AFN evolved to respond to the modern challenges of protecting and providing a political voice for Native issues. Hensley chaired the first AFN convention that was to create the land claims committee in order to achieve a united front regarding the recognition of native land claims and to establish native Alaskans as a strong political force. The 12 regional corporations are responsible for 70 percent of all revenues received by each Regional Corporation that were to be divided among all 12 Regional Corporations in proportion to the number of Alaska natives enrolled in each region. Hensley became executive director of the Northwest Alaska Native Association (NANA). The corporation's goals were to pursue land claims, prioritise Inupiat education, promote political participation, and to improve the overall condition of native living standards. Hensley's Inupiat culture led to the strong movement within NANA for programs to revitalise the culture and social problems his people were facing. To symbolise this solidarity NANA's official symbol is an Iñupiaq hunter moving toward a successful future in a vast, beautiful and sometimes harsh world. Hensley also led a NANA subsidiary, NANA Development Corp, that manages native corporations' business portfolio. Hensley served as director of the corporation for over 20 years, before becoming its president.

Hensley's involvement as director/president of NANA extended to his involvement with the development of the Red Dog mine. Located at Delong Mountain Range about 90 miles north of Kotzebue, Red Dog is one of the world's largest zinc and lead mines, it produces 10 percent of the world's zinc. The mine was developed under an innovative operating agreement and NANA shareholders receive direct benefits from development at the mine.

Maniilaq In 1966, Hensley was one of the founders of the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association (NANA). When the ANSCA was passed, the for-profit NANA regional corporation that Hensley was executive director of was established. Therefore, the nonprofit NANA changed their name to Manillaq to avoid confusion. Hensley was appointed Manager of Federal government relations head of the Washington D.C.

Educator Since 2011, Hensley became a distinguished visiting professor at the University of Alaska in the Department of Business and Public Policy. The book features photos and testimonies from Hensley's childhood as he recounts growing up in northern Alaska and the hardships faced by him and his adoptive family.

Personal life Hensley married his wife Abigale Hensley in 1974 and they have four children, Priscilla, Mollie, James, and Elizabeth. Hensley and his wife now live in Anchorage.