Don Wright (politician) facts for kids
Donald Rose Wright (born November 24, 1929 – died July 5, 2014) was an American politician from Alaska. He was known for his long career in politics. He worked to help Native people in Alaska.
Growing Up and School
Donald Rose Wright was born in Nenana, Alaska. This was on November 24, 1929. He was one of seven sons. His parents, Arthur and Myrtle Wright, were missionaries. Missionaries are people who travel to spread their religious beliefs. His father was part Gwichʼin and part white. His family came from Old Crow, Yukon.
Because his parents were missionaries, Donald's family lived in many places. They lived all over Interior Alaska. Their main homes were in Nenana, Minto, and Fairbanks. Donald finished high school in 1947. He graduated from Fairbanks High School.
His Political Work
Donald Wright was a very active person in Alaskan politics. He was the president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. This group works for the rights of Native people in Alaska. He led the group from 1970 to 1972. This was an important time for the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. This act was a big law. It gave Native Alaskans land and money.
Wright was known for running for office many times. He ran for statewide office fifteen times. This was between 1968 and 2010. Eleven of those times, he ran for governor of Alaska. He often ran as the candidate for the Alaskan Independence Party. He was their choice for governor in 1978, 2002, 2006, and 2010.
Besides leading the Alaska Federation of Natives, he also led other groups. He was president of the Bartlett Democratic Club. He also led the Cook Inlet Native Association. Wright ran for office as a Democrat and a Republican too. He even ran for president of the United States in 1988.
His Family
Donald Wright came from a notable family. His younger brother, Jules, was also a politician. Jules served in the Alaska House of Representatives. He was a Republican from 1967 to 1969.
Another brother, Gareth, was famous for dog mushing. He was the leader of a family of sprint dog mushers. Sprint dog mushing is a sport where dogs pull a sled very fast. Gareth often competed against another famous musher, George Attla. Their rivalry was even shown in a movie. The movie was called Spirit of the Wind and came out in 1979. Donald Wright is also the great-uncle of Ramy Brooks. Ramy Brooks is a dog musher too. He has been racing long distances since the 1990s.
His Passing
Donald Rose Wright passed away on July 5, 2014. He died in Kenai, Alaska.
