Ellen Hope Hays facts for kids

Ellen Hope Hays (born December 29, 1927 – died October 8, 2013) was a very important Alaska Native woman. She made history by becoming the first Alaska Native woman to lead a national park, the Sitka National Historical Park. During her 16 years working for the National Park Service, she worked hard to share and protect the rich culture of Alaska Native people.

Early Life and Heritage

Ellen Hope Hays was born in Sitka, Alaska. She was one of fourteen children born to Andrew and Tillie Hope. Her family was part of the X’aaká Hít (Point House) of the Kiks.ádi Clan. This clan belongs to the Raven side of the Tlingit people. Her Tlingit name was Kaakaltín, which means "Raven Looking Forward."

Ellen faced health challenges throughout her life. She also lost some of her sisters and her grandfather to a serious illness.

When she was a child, Ellen was not allowed to speak Lingít, her native language. She grew up in a home where only English was spoken.

Ellen went to the Sheldon Jackson School and later studied at the University of Alaska, Sitka Campus.

A Career of Firsts

As Ellen began her professional life, she started to reconnect with her heritage. She called these traditions the “Old Customs” of the Lingít People.

Breaking Barriers

On April 17, 1967, Ellen Hope Hays became the first woman to join the Alaska Native Brotherhood, Sitka Camp Number One. This was a big step for women in the organization. A few years later, she became the President of that same Camp Number One.

In 1967, Ellen started her career with the National Park Service (NPS). She began as a clerk and typist. By 1970, she became a park technician at the Sitka National Monument. This place is now known as Sitka National Historical Park. In 1972, she became a park ranger. As a ranger, Ellen helped start the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEAICC). This center helps share and preserve Alaska Native culture.

Leading a National Park

On July 9, 1974, Ellen made history again. She became the superintendent of Sitka National Historical Park. This made her the first Alaska Native woman to hold such a high position in the National Park Service. She was also only the third woman ever to be a park superintendent and the first in the Pacific Northwest region.

Four years later, she took on another important role. She became the first Native Alaskan Liaison Officer in Anchorage, Alaska. In this job, she helped manage all the relationships between the National Park Service and the Alaska Native Tribes. She stayed in this role until she retired from the NPS in 1983.

Even after retiring, Ellen Hope Hays continued to be active in Alaska Native affairs until her death.

Recognition and Involvement

In 1996, the University of Alaska honored Ellen with an honorary Doctor of Law degree. This was a special award for her important contributions.

She was also a member of many different organizations. These included the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood, the Alaska Federation of Natives, and the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. She worked with groups focused on culture, education, and planning for her community.

Personal Life

Ellen Hope Hays had one child, Karen Valorie Lang, from her first marriage to Roger Lang. In 1978, she married Henry Hays. They moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1994. They lived there until they returned to Sitka in 2013.

Later Years

Ellen Hope Hays passed away in Sitka, Alaska, on October 8, 2013. Her life showed how one person can make a huge difference in protecting culture and opening doors for others.