by Diana Campbell
Fairbanks Native Association was formed in the days of “No Natives Allowed” signs, loss of land, boarding schools and high unemployment for Natives.
FNA’s four founders decided the best way to address these issues was for Alaska Natives to become unified. That was a big lift, but in 1963 FNA was organized, and is thriving today.
FNA will premiere “We’re Still Here: A Video History of Fairbanks Native Association” on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center at 101 Dunkel Avenue. The half-hour movie will be shown at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
“We’ve wanted to make sure we understand and preserve our history,” said Melissa Charlie, FNA executive director. “As it turns out, our founders and many other remarkable people created something lasting that had never been done before.”
The video tells of the conditions of the early 1960s where discrimination in education, housing, schooling and employment was epidemic. Alaska statehood became the catalyst for Alaska Natives to firmly address those issues.
Founders Nick Gray, Ralph Perdue, and Bill and Poldine Carlo envisioned something big for Fairbanks as they talked around Poldine’s kitchen table in those days. The talks gave way to FNA in 1963.
FNA had a hand in the creation of the Alaska Federation of Natives, and supported Tanana Chiefs Conference in its early start. After the Alaska Native land claims, FNA provided support, and office space to the newly established Doyon, Ltd.
Today, FNA employs over 200 people in education, community and behavioral health services, with annual revenue of $30 million.
“We are still here and thriving,” Charlie said. “We owe a lot to those people who sacrificed to build something that they could only imagine. We will continue to challenge ourselves to keep going to serve all people, walking the walk, and not forget our beginnings.”
Diana Campbell is the Communications Director for the Fairbanks Native Association.
