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A Barrow judge who slowed down court proceedings to make sure all understood. A lawyer who spent years looking for the truth in the case of the Fairbanks Four. A voter who spoke Yup'ik and needed help in understanding election ballots and pamphlets.
The Alaska Federation of Natives board named three recipients of its most prestigious awards on Thursday.
One received this year's citizen award, given each year to Native people who demonstrate commitment and service to Native communities and rural Alaska. Two more received Denali awards, AFN's highest honor for a non-Native who shows that sort of dedication.
Awards given Thursday went to:
– Mike Toyukak of Manokotak, citizen award for stepping up to sue the state to force election materials to be printed in Yup'ik so that elders could understand. Some elders wouldn't vote before or voted no since they didn't have written materials in advance.
– Michael Jeffery, who retired as Barrow Superior Court judge in 2014 and is staying in the community. He has encouraged tribal court and earned a reputation for fair treatment. When a young person was caught stealing food because he was hungry, Jeffery sentenced him to keep dried meat in his pocket, AFN president Julie Kitka said. He was one of two Denali award winners.
– Bill Oberly, sole employee with and attorney for the Alaska Innocence Project. He is the other Denali award winner and worked for years on the Fairbanks Four case. Four men who spent their adult lives were freed last year after a mini-trial in which new evidence suggested their innocence. Three are Alaska Native men and one is from the Lower 48.