Alaska ACLU honors Byron Mallott
The American Civil Liberties Union is honoring Tlingit leader Byron Mallott as a defender of constitutional rights.
The ACLU’s Alaska chapter named Mallott winner of the Eric Johnson Champion of Native Rights award. He was among five Alaskans recognized Jan. 23 in Anchorage.
Mallott has served key roles in a variety of organizations and agencies. He was president of First Alaskans Foundation, a Native research and advocacy organization, and CEO of Sealaska, Southeast’s regional Native corporation. He’s also been mayor of Yakutat and Juneau, and head of Alaska’s Permanent Fund Corporation. And he continues as a Sealaska board member.
He spoke about his vision of the future at the awards ceremony.
The ACLU also recognized Anchorage Senator Bettye Davis with the Equal Access to Justice Award. Anchorage attorney Hugh Fleischer won the Charlie Parr Lifetime Achievement Award. Senator John Rader, an abortion rights activist, got the Champion of Women’s Rights award. And former Anchorage Assembly member Allan Tesche was recognized as a Champion of the Bill of Rights.
Mallott’s award was named after an attorney who fought Alaska’s English-only law.
