John Nusunginya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Nusunginya
|
|
|---|---|
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 21st district |
|
| In office January 26, 1959 – January 1963 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 13, 1927 Point Barrow, Alaska Territory |
| Died | August 18, 1981 (aged 54) Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Vera Bolt (died 1961) |
| Children | eight |
| Residences | Utqiagvik, Alaska |
| Occupation | carpenter, businessman |
Johnny Ned Nusunginya (March 13, 1927 – August 18, 1981) was an important politician from Alaska. He served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1959 to 1963. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Contents
Who Was Johnny Nusunginya?
Johnny Nusunginya was born in Utqiagvik, Alaska, in 1927. His last name is pronounced like Nusaŋiña in the Iñupiaq language. He was a member of the Iñupiat people, who are Native Alaskans.
He worked as a carpenter, building things with wood. He also owned a business in Utqiagvik that delivered goods. Besides his work, he was very involved in his community. He served as the mayor of Utqiagvik and helped with civil defense, which means preparing for emergencies.
Johnny's Family Life
When Johnny was elected to the House of Representatives in 1958, he was married and had six children. His family was very important to him.
In 1961, a sad event occurred when a fire at his family home in Utqiagvik caused a great loss. While some of his children were at school and safe, others, including his wife, Vera, and a young son, were tragically affected. One baby was bravely rescued from the fire.
Standing Up for His Community
When Johnny Nusunginya decided to become a politician, he wanted to make sure everyone was treated fairly. He believed that "non-discrimination" was very important. This means treating all people equally, no matter their background.
As someone who lived in Northern Alaska his whole life, he understood the challenges faced by Native Alaskans. He wanted to help these groups make progress and have better lives.
Later in 1961, there was a disagreement about traditional hunting practices. Johnny Nusunginya and his community, the Iñupiat people, felt strongly about their right to hunt eider ducks. Hunting these ducks was a part of their culture and way of life. Many people showed their support in a peaceful protest, highlighting the importance of their traditions. The issue was later resolved. This event showed how united the Iñupiat people could be.
Johnny's Legacy
Johnny Nusunginya passed away on August 18, 1981, in Anchorage. He is remembered for his dedication to his community and his efforts to bring fairness and progress to the people of Alaska.
