Wishing all the dads out there a wonderful Father’s Day!

On behalf of ALL my siblings (Roy Triber, Ray Craig, Darlene Craig Peters, Elsie Craig Agibinik, John Craig, Charley Craig, Ernie Craig, Ronnie Craig , Lynn Craig, Arlene Craig Tibbits, Marlene Craig Macy and me, Lucille) we would like to pay tribute to our father, the late Oscar J. Craig, this Father’s Day and others who have passed like Uncle Walter Charley, Roy S. Ewan, Markle Ewan Sr., John Billium Jr., Jack Larson, Harding Ewan and Hector Ewan. They worked so tirelessly, having meetings and traveling to meetings, with little or no funds except what they could pool together and raise through bake sales. These men were so dedicated in trying to make a better way of life, to retain our lands and subsistence rights for our Ahtna people and other Alaska Natives. They never gave up no matter how many roadblocks they had to climb over.

They also attended the very first Alaska Federation of Natives to have their voices heard to put a freeze on all state lands and the pipeline until the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) could get passed. ANCSA was passed into law in December, 1971.

All should take the time to reflect on what a great accomplishment this was for our people at that time and reflect on how very important this is as a part of our Native history.

Sadly, our father died in the fall of 1967 before he could see the fruits of his labor. Several of his children have followed in his footsteps and some of us sit on our Ahtna board and village boards and some are past Ahtna board members. I feel he would be proud of his children as they continue to fight for the rights of our people.

In loving appreciation to our father Oscar J. Craig,
Lucille Ann Craig Lincoln