John Nusunginya facts for kids

Johnny Ned Nusunginya (born March 13, 1927 – died August 18, 1981) was an important politician from Alaska. His last name is pronounced Nusaŋiña in the Iñupiaq language. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1959 to 1963.

Johnny Nusunginya: A Voice for Alaska

Johnny Nusunginya was an Iñupiaq man. He was born in Utqiagvik, Alaska in 1927. As an adult, he worked as a carpenter. He also owned a business that delivered goods in Utqiagvik.

Community Leader

Johnny Nusunginya was a leader in his community. He served as the mayor of Utqiagvik. He was also in charge of civil defense for the area. When he ran for the House of Representatives in 1958, he was married and had six children.

He believed in "non-discrimination" for all people. He said that living in Northern Alaska his whole life helped him understand the challenges faced by Native Alaskans. He wanted to help these groups make progress.

A Difficult Time

In February 1961, a terrible fire happened at his family home in Utqiagvik. Four people, including his wife Vera, his six-year-old son, and his brother-in-law, sadly died. Another baby was saved by a brave person who rushed into the burning house. This baby was the only survivor of the fire. The fire happened when it was extremely cold, about -40 degrees Fahrenheit. His other six children were at school and were safe.

Standing Up for Rights

In May 1961, Johnny Nusunginya faced a legal issue. He was accused of hunting eider ducks when it was not allowed. This caused many other Iñupiat people to protest. About 138 Iñupiat showed their support for him. They brought 600 pounds of ducks to game wardens. This was a powerful act of peaceful protest. It showed how much the Iñupiat people stood together. The charges against him were later dropped.

Later Life

Johnny Nusunginya passed away on August 18, 1981. He died in Anchorage, Alaska, from heart failure.