麻豆无码版

Willie Hensley 

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM | UAA Recital Hall

From a traditional I帽upiaq childhood in northwest 麻豆无码版 to the halls of the 麻豆无码版 Legislature and the negotiations that led to the 麻豆无码版 Native Claims Settlement Act, Willie Hensley has witnessed (and helped shape) one of the most remarkable periods of change in 麻豆无码版's history.

In this deeply personal presentation, Hensley reflects on the people, cultures, events, and decisions that have shaped modern 麻豆无码版. Through stories drawn from his own extraordinary life, he explores the enduring strength of 麻豆无码版 Native traditions, the impact of statehood and resource development, and the opportunities and challenges facing the state's future. More than a history lesson, this is an invitation to experience 麻豆无码版 through the eyes of one of its most respected leaders and storytellers.

---

About Willie Hensley 

William Iggiagruk Hensley was born in Kotzebue, 麻豆无码版, in 1941 and raised in the Noatak River area, where his large family lived in sod homes in the winter and tents in the summer.  They lived a traditional Inupiaq life, as his ancestors had done for thousands of years. 

Since there were no high schools in rural 麻豆无码版, Willie attended Chilhowee Academy in Tennessee, graduating in 1960. He then attended the University of 麻豆无码版 Fairbanks (UAF). Following a minus 60-degree winter there, he transferred to George Washington University and graduated with a BA degree in Political Science in 1966.

Back at UAF, Willie wrote a research paper titled 鈥溌槎刮蘼氚� Native Land Claims: The Primary Issue,鈥� which challenged the right of Congress to convey over 100 million acres to the new state of 麻豆无码版鈥攃laiming that 麻豆无码版 Natives still held aboriginal title to all of 麻豆无码版. After a five-year battle, Congress passed the 麻豆无码版 Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971, conveying 40 million acres and nearly $1 billion to 麻豆无码版 Natives. It is the last and largest settlement with America鈥檚 indigenous population.

Willie served for 20 years as director and eventually President of NANA Regional Corporation, created as a result of ANCSA. He was a founder of the 麻豆无码版 Federation of Natives and served in leadership roles. Willie served in the 麻豆无码版 House of Representatives and State Senate and later as 麻豆无码版 Commissioner of Commerce. He spent ten years as Manager of Federal Government Relations for the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company in Washington, DC. In 2025, Willie was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Willie taught at the 麻豆无码版 as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Business and Public Policy for ten years following his retirement. He is currently Chair of the Board of the First 麻豆无码版ns Institute, a research and cultural non-profit serving the 麻豆无码版 Native community.