The Alaska Historical Society advocates for history, often with state officeholders. In September 2022, the Society sent five questions to candidates running for Governor and State House and Senate seats about programs and issues of concern to us. Below are responses we received from the following candidates:
For Governor:
Bill Walker and Heidi Drygas
For Senate:
Cathy Giessel – District E
Elvi Gray-Jackson – District G
Loki Tobin – District I
Forrest Dunbar – District J
Bill Wielechowski – District K
Mike Shower – District O
Willy Keppel – District S
Geran Tarr – District J
Jesse Kiehl – District B
For House of Representatives:
Rebecca Himschoot – District 02
Andi Story – District 03
Andy Josephson – District 13
Zach Fields – District 17
Lyn Franks – District 18
Genevieve Mina – District 19
Paul Bauer – District 20
Ted Eischeid – District 22
Larry Wood – District 25
Ashley Carrick – District 35
Walter Featherly – District 11
Questions:
BILL WALKER AND HEIDI DRYGAS, Governor and Lt. Governor
Yes. Alaskan researchers need to be able to access archives and historical documents. The Walker Drygas administration will support the Congressional Delegation’s efforts to obtain the funding needed to digitize records.
Increasing the level of understanding of the good and bad of Alaska’s history is essential to establishing mutual respect and understanding among our people and communities; broad historical knowledge will help bridge the deep divisions we see in our society today and chart a path toward a successful future.
The Walker Drygas Administration will support increased funding to collect and maintain Alaska historical records and also invest in programs within the University of Alaska system and other institutions that promote cultural and historical studies.
Yes. We support funding for this important work. Further, one proposal in our economic and community development plan calls for the creation of an initiative we are calling Alaska 2050. The first major undertaking will be modeled after a project carried out by the State of Hawai’i in 1970 called Hawai’i 2000, which brought together thousands of people from across the state of all ages, cultures, professions, educational achievements, income levels, and in all communities at a historic inflection point in that state to establish a greater sense of unity about what people wanted to become by the turn of the century.
We desperately need this approach in Alaska right now: neighbors sitting down and having tough conversations with one another to chart a course into the future that is not disrupted by political cycles and reversed every four years and instead puts us on a positive long-term trajectory and gets us thinking about what we are leaving for our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and everyone who will love this place long after we are gone.
Yes.
Alaskan students would benefit from increased access to social studies curriculum. The Walker Drygas Administration will engage with the Alaska Historical Society and other stakeholders in the education community to determine what changes are needed and what is possible to implement in the diverse schools across our state.
Anyone from AHS can reach me at this email or directly on my personal cell at 404-934-9935 if you need photos, biographical information, or anything else from the candidates. Austin Baird, Communications Director, Walker-Drygas for Alaska, austin@walkerdrygas.com
CATHY GIESSEL, Senate District E
As a lifelong Alaskan (whose birth certificate says “Territory of Alaska” on it), I am thrilled to give positive answers to all your questions! (Bear in mind that while I like the ideas, I am not committing to vote for a specific item until I see the bill, fiscal note and hear testimony.)
While my Alaska History course at Lathrop High School was good, it was just the start. As a life member of two Alaska Pioneer Igloos (Fairbanks and Anchorage), Alaska history has been a lifelong learning experience! I love it!
My father was a pilot for Wien Airlines. That company was a big part of Alaska 20th century transportation history. I met so many aviation legends!
Thank you for this questionnaire.
Absolutely! This was disturbing to hear about these last 2 years.
Yes. This year, the question on our November ballot, “Shall there be a Constitutional Convention”, invites Alaska history knowledge to the forefront! Sadly, most voters don’t know much about the original Convention and the important aspects of our founding document.
Great idea. Knowledge of history and origin fosters appreciation for what we have today and the work of those who preceded us.
Yes. How about adding Alaska Constitution Day?
Yes to both but I’m wondering if 2 years in high school and 1 year in middle school would be better. Middle school would be a good place to start.
ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, Senate District G
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
LOKI TOBIN, Senate District I
Yes.
Yes.
I would like to know more about this and possible/proposed partnerships with indigenous entities to ensure honest and authentic discussion regarding indigenous land rights and the ensuing cultural genocide.
Yes.
Yes, I fully support social studies coordination.
FORREST DUNBAR, Senate District J
Yes, I will support increased funding for care and digitization of Alaska records. I’m proud to be a lifelong Alaskan and protecting our records means protecting our shared state history. However, in addition to relying on official state records for an understanding of our history, we also must center Alaska Native stories which are often overlooked in the official record.
Yes, I do favor increased state funding to protect our historical records and train people in historical research. Alaska’s diverse cultures and histories are the reason so many come to visit our state. They’re a common narrative from which we can build an Alaska-oriented coalition in state government. And they make Alaska a beloved home for all who live here. I support initiatives to protect and uplift our history, especially UA’s state history and cultural studies programs.
I need more information as to the commission and its purpose. We have seen commissions in Anchorage, as well as institutions like the Library, radicalized with partisan politics in the last year; I would not want to contribute to another forum for that to happen. That being said, it certainly sounds like a worthwhile goal, and if I am elected to the State Senate I would be happy to discuss it further.
Yes, Alaska History Day has been a fun and exciting way for students to learn about the history of our state. I’d love to find a way to re-vitalize the program.
I support requirements for social studies in our secondary education. An educated populace, particularly regarding government and history, is necessary for a functioning democracy. I would likely support social studies coordinators in the Department of Education, but again it’s a topic on which I would have to learn more. I am increasingly concerned with the politicization of history education in places like Florida; I don’t want those attempts to erase history to come to Alaska.
BILL WIELECHOWSKI, Senate District K
Yes. I would support these efforts.
I supported funding for the State Libraries, Archives and Museum (SLAM) building in Juneau and have long advocated for and supported funding for the University, libraries and other retainers of historical documents. I continue to support reasonable state funding for this and for UA’s historical and cultural study programs.
I am open to creating a commission to support this federally matched program.
It’s important to remember our history, so I would support this.
I am open to this idea and believe it is critical for our younger generation to have a firm grasp of history. Every time the State proposes new curriculum requirements there is concern from local school districts, so I would want to hear their ideas and try to figure out ways to accomplish this. I do support the establishment of statewide curriculum materials and social studies coordinators.
MIKE SHOWER, Senate District O
Yes. While I want to be careful with expending “other people’s money” which is far too easy to do – I also understand the value of our history – those who don’t remember their history are doomed to repeat it. Careful and judicious expenditure for useful projects I can support.
Reference my answer to question 1. In short my answer might be “yes”. However, I would need to see the project, expense incurred and relative return on the investment of taxpayer dollars. I studied history at the US Air Force Academy so this topic is closer to me than one might imagine. I am simply doing my best to be a good steward of the limited resources available at the state level and the many demands we face. I support a strong university program but wish to see them do a better job of funding operations under their land grant status. It is something we’ve discussed at length with the university president and many board of regent members.
I know I keep saying “maybe” – but – maybe. The historical aspect I mentioned in answer #1 reverberates here. I am a student of history and remembering it is more important for our future than most realize. I’d probably lean more towards yes on this question but would like to see the details.
Lean yes on this answer. Teaching history in Jr & Sr HS is important – this is related.
An easy one! Yes.
WILLY KEPPEL, Senate District S
In questions one through four, my answer is, conditionally I could see myself supporting your projects, but, your questions as to funding are not nearly specific enough.
On question five, I would gladly support history back into the curriculum for high school students and would be even happier to sponsor legislation for grade school requirements.
I’m an avid reader and history of one sort or another fills my library. It’s a rare nonfiction that gets space in my collection of books.
Thanks for asking!
GERAN TARR, Senate District J
(response arrived on October 30, after the October 10th deadline)
Yes.
Yes to both. Unfortunately because the university appropriation is a single line item they decide the cuts when funding is reduced. This has led to conversations about working on the budget in a more detailed way. This could help so legislators understand all the programs and benefits to our state.
Yes. I celebrate our country and form of government. With that said, I think this could bring up difficult feelings about our colonial past. I think that this effort can only be successful if we confront that as a key part of telling this history.
Yes. This seems like a pretty small investment for something with great impact. I think you may want to engage legislators more because I don’t think I was aware of this and that could help with securing state funds. For example, I would have shared this opportunity in our newsletters and constituent meetings. Others likely would as well. This is a way for connecting with our neighbors and that’s always good.
Is three years the standard? I’m not familiar with the standard. This is critically important knowledge. I tend to support having government or citizenship as a standalone requirement because we need to improve civic engagement and high school is really the best place to capture people, and before they can vote. I would like that as a requirement in addition to three years for geography, social studies, or history. I would support coordinators in DEED. I also want us to push to update the Alaska Studies curriculum to better represent Alaska history and more fully educate students about indigenous history and the history and contributions of the many communities of people that call Alaska home.
JESSE KIEHL, Senate District B
(response arrived after the October 10th deadline)
Yes, I support these efforts.
I spent many years before becoming a legislator working to secure funding for SLAM in the capital city. While on the Juneau Assembly I was proud to help fund investments in our city museum as well. I will keep working to make sure the parts of Alaska history contained in documents and artifacts are well cared for and accessible to researchers and the public. I am also proud to keep championing the university system and it’s crucial role in our state.
This sounds like a good idea to me.
Yes, I support this. It will be easier to accomplish in partnership with nonprofits that can lend time, volunteer effort, and some matching funds to the effort.
The more years of high-quality social studies instruction a person gets, the better equipped they are to think deeply about our society. The exact graduation requirement for each district is a matter best decided by the State Board of Education & Early Development and individual districts’ locally elected school boards. I support the department helping local districts with curriculum, technical assistance, and resources. Social studies is one place EED could help a lot.
REBECCA HIMSCHOOT, House District 02
Yes. In the past decade the State of Alaska took major steps to create the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building to house the State Museum and Archives. In a tour of that building prior to its opening I was impressed with the curatorial detail (deep freezers, climate control, etc.) the building contains. Keeping Alaska’s records close to Alaska is important and I support our delegation’s commitment to retaining the National Archives and Records Center in Seattle.
While I value a conservative approach to budgeting public dollars, history not preserved is history lost. Alaska is a uniquely “young” state and our historians have done an incredible job of preserving our history. I support maintenance of effort at previous levels of funding for historical records and research training and the programs of study at UA.
I support a temporary commission to assist in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and would like to see this commission consist of qualified historians in the state, including meaningful Indigenous representation.
If this event can be matched with private sector funds I support revitalizing the Alaska History Day competition.
As an educator I am strongly in support of the review and establishment of social studies standards for K-12 education. These standards will only become meaningful if educators in the field are supported to explore and implement them, so I also support funding for DEED positions to provide expertise for the revised social studies standards; I will add, the need for these positions mirrors the need for similar expertise in science, and I will support either both or neither. In current education trends the entire reason for learning social studies and science has been lost to the “skills training” of reading and writing, and empowered and supported educators can ignite curiosity in their students with robust and place-based science and social science curriculum.
ANDI STORY, House District 03
Absolutely! As a legislator I have advocated to keep open the National Archives in Seattle. I support efforts to digitize records and address deferred maintenance in federal and state buildings.
Again, absolutely. This is an investment important to us, future generations and research. This is valuable vital knowledge which must be recorded and done with great respect and accuracy for our thousands of years of Alaskan Native history of traditional knowledge and cultural values. Training staff is critical.
Yes I support this.
Yes I support this. I am a strong supporter of education and this appeals to some of our youth.
This is not an easy question as school funding for students through the foundation formula in the base student allocation per pupil has not been raised since 2017. Some course offerings in career tech classes and the arts have been cut. To add additional graduation requirements means adding new teachers certified to teach social studies teachers. And something would need to be cut. We are in a time of a statewide and national teacher shortage. While federal dollars have been invested, they are for covid mitigation and unfinished learning efforts. I support local control right now as each district is in a unique crisis situation. The Department of Education has been cut back also yet just received increases state funding to focus on literacy in Pre–K thru 3rd grade children. I believe they should also have Alaska Native cultural studies coordinators as a priority. The political will to invest more in education has been difficult to pass. My House Bill 272 increases the Base Student Allocation but did not pass this year. Advocacy from groups such as yours is necessary. Onward!
ANDY JOSEPHSON, House District 13
Yes, I would contribute to that effort in any way possible.
Yes, I favor increased funding. My efforts reflect this value. I have worked with Steve Rollins, UAA chief librarian, to restore programs to funding like SLED and OWL only to have them vetoed by Governor Dunleavy. The answer to all the above is, “yes”.
Absolutely. Just prepared for a gubernatorial veto. I sit on the House Finance Committee and can play a meaningful role in helping this happen.
Certainly. Let me take the opportunity to note that between 1991-Present, I have a Type A Teacher’s Certificate with a secondary history credential. In 1994 I turned down scholarships to Wake Forest (full) and Pepperdine (partial) as well as other doctoral history programs to attend law school. History is my passion.
Certainly. Note that legislation was considered reducing the 3 year requirement. I opposed that.
ZACH FIELDS, House District 17
Emphatically, YES.
Yes and yes. Considering the tiny cost of programs like this compared to the cost of mega-dividends, it’s easy for me to advocate for all the programs I care about because they’re quite affordable if we keep dividend spending under control (which admittedly is difficult).
Yes.
Yes.
Personally I think social studies/history should be part of students’ curriculum every year (so 4 years by graduation), but I also think it can get dangerous for legislators to micromanage how districts, administrators, and teachers manage schools, so I’d want to understand how districts around the state are handling this now before committing to a statewide mandate. I do support funding a social studies coordinator and think it’s particularly important to help teachers and districts provide historically accurate education regarding history of colonization, and Alaska Native history, which is little understood by many Alaskans much less a teacher who has newly arrived from the Lower 48.
LYN FRANKS, House District 18
Yes – I am aware of this as a history adjunct professor. I am very concerned that Alaskans have access to their history!
I absolutely fully support the UA programs of historical and cultural studies.
This is an anniversary unmatched in history. As an Americanist, I am so excited for this opportunity. I will help with this endeavor.
Absolutely. I intend as a legislator to forward fund the educational budget and to consider inflationary funding adjustments.
I support full multi-year social studies courses. I support the establishment of social studies coordinators in the Department of Education to assist teachers statewide. In addition, academic freedom is an imperative for educators to teach content of their choosing based on their professional expertise.
GENEVIEVE MINA, House District 19
Yes.
Yes. I’ve used materials from the UAA/APU Archives and Special Collections to learn more about our own Alaska political history, and support funding these programs for the benefit of future generations.
It depends on the legislation and budget of the commission. I support efforts to ensure Indigenous voices are at the forefront of the commission. States like Massachusetts and Nebraska have implemented state-level commissions which require representation from historically excluded communities and local Tribes. I understand supporting state funding to leverage federal funds for the commission, but my priority is to pass a comprehensive fiscal place to fund our basic state services. I am also curious about potential private funding to help match state funds as well.
I support the spirit of the Alaska History Day competition, but it depends on our budget situation. In terms of boosting our public education system and promoting state civic engagement, I want to ensure that we can adequately fund our public school system and increase the BSA, as well as funding the University of Alaska system. However, I would be open to using state funding for Alaska History Day if we can leverage federal and/or private dollars for the competition.
I do support a requirement of three years of social studies and history, since it is the standard for most states, but would like to learn more about the recommendations for updating the state’s education standards. I would be open to establishing a social studies coordinator, particularly to ensure Indigenous voices can be part of developing curriculum materials. I myself am a 2014 graduate of Bettye Davis East High School, and while I met these requirements, there were definitely missed opportunities for me to engage earlier in topics I believe Alaskans should know about, including: the impacts of colonization in Alaska Studies, local government and state government, history of immigration in Alaska, and the complexity of our state budget. I love social studies and Alaska history and hope we can inspire more students in these subjects!
PAUL BAUER, House District 20
As a student of history, amateur historian, and professional investigator my answer is YES. My worldly travels, living and working in Europe, deployed to Pacific and Central American regions gave me an appreciation for Alaska to have historical landmarks, museums, and most of all keeping our records safe. Yes.
I favor increased funding to collect and maintain historical records and programs based on RFPs as needed. Training people should come from the universities and seek people with experience. There must be many volunteers in the community of amateurs with the skills and motivation to learn and do the research. For the university programs I would need to know the extent of student interest to support the university efforts. What has the historical community done to market, advertise and gain financial support?
Yes, it would be an honor to support and help market the idea and proposals.
I would have to see a private community effort through contributions and fundraising for a possible funding formula to match.
I do support the school requirement. My best subjects are social studies where I achieved high grades in all levels of schooling. Social study and history subjects lead to many great careers and develop a broad look at important issues.
TED EISCHEID, House District 22
Yes. I would encourage our federal delegation to fully fund this effort, and keep our Alaska history alive and “at our fingertips”.
I favor increased state funding “if we can afford it”. The issue with the SOA funding is ultimately revenues. I support history infrastructure given budgetary realities.
I support this concept. However, ultimately funding for this must compete with funding for other priorities. I would like us to come up with a stable fiscal plan so we better fund initiatives like this.
Yes, but again we need the context of a sustainable fiscal plan for the SOA.
Yes, I do support this concept. However, I am also sensitive to the impact of state mandates on local governments. I would want to consult with them first on the impacts this could create before committing.
Final Statement: I am currently a Planner for the Mat-Su Borough. Earlier in my career I staffed our local Historical Preservation commission. This gave me the opportunity to learn about section 106 and related law and concerns. I would bring this knowledge and support to the state legislature if elected. You can learn more about me at: https://tedforalaska.com
LAWRENCE “LARRY” WOOD, House District 25
I would prefer Alaska’s records be archived in south central Alaska where they would be accessible to Alaskans First, not Last.
History is very important to me. We learn from history. Yes, I support the U of A’s programs, so long as the cost is reasonable. It was admitted by the U of A during the governor’s attempt at budget cuts that the U of A could cut its budget by 35 percent without impact upon programs. This admission was made with the disclosure of there being a duplication of management across the campuses.
In Alaska, maybe. I can think of a couple of other commissions that are duplication of federal commissions and unnecessary. Maybe, this should be a part of an education budget.
I support this as part of an education budget, but not anything woke that is part and parcel of the distortion of history today.
I would not support the establishment of such a position. Any current changes are in response to the Marxist woke agenda, and LGBTQ agenda that is playing out in our schools. No. Comprehensive reviews of subject matter need to be undertaken by the school district parents, school boards, and industry. Local control needs to be exercised.
ASHLEY CARRICK, House District 35
Yes, I support the care and digitization of Alaska records. While this is a Federal funding issue that will need to be resolved primarily by the Congressional delegation, legislators have historically lent their support to specific budgetary and legislative priorities as well. As a legislator, I would work with my colleagues to support federal funding for a new National Archives facility in Seattle.
I am the strongest supporter of the University of Alaska in the race for House District 35. The University is integral to our community not only for its economic benefits, but also for its educational benefits, including the preservation and study of Alaska history and culture. One of the most devastating things to watch as the University experienced the incredible upheaval of Governor Dunleavy’s budget vetoes in 2019 was how many important programs were cut or drastically reduced including the History and the Northern Studies departments. We need to support important programs that help to preserve Alaska’s history and promote historical research. I look forward to supporting the University of Alaska and programs that can preserve and advance historical, cultural, and language knowledge.
Yes, I support the creation of a commission. While this 250th anniversary long predates Alaska Statehood and even the purchase of Alaska, it is nonetheless important for Alaska to celebrate and recognize the anniversary of the United States. I would support creating a Semiquincentennial Commission and appropriating matching funds to help get the commission started.
Yes, I support returning Alaska’s History Day to a viable level of funding following the challenges of the COVID pandemic. It is important for Alaskan students to learn Alaska history, and this competition has a proven track record of inspiring students to learn about and share the history of the state. We need to invest in programs like these to help our students learn our history.
Yes, I support these standards because students need to know how their government works. So many times on the campaign trail I have talked to voters who did not even know what the State Legislature is, which is frankly concerning. We need to make investments in better social studies programs including government classes. Having social studies coordinators within DEED will help to implement social studies programs statewide. I would support additional funding to pay for these coordinators, as they are essential to developing curriculum to meet these educational standards.
WALTER FEATHERLY, House District 11
(response arrived on October 30, after the October 10th deadline)
Yes, absolutely, I would. As the General Counsel of Calista Corporation, one of the 12 Alaska Native Regional Corporations that holds an entitlement 6,500,000 million acres of Alaska lands, over 200,000 acres of which, more than fifty years later have yet to be conveyed, I know firsthand how Alaskans and federal agencies rely on NARA for documentation to settle land issues, such as land claims and disputes, state and Native land selections, and navigability through federally owned lands and waters.
Yes, I do. Cutting the funding for these programs at Alaska’s institutions undermines the critical tasks of preserving and providing public access to historical records and increases the risk that these records will be lost, to the incalculable loss to our State, but also increases our dependence on institutions and individuals in others states to perform these functions. Moreover, with sufficient budgets, these programs can be net contributors to the Alaska and local economies, as it takes an adequately funded staff to apply for the federal and private grants that are available.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, absolutely.