Facebook Twitter Email
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2002

The Alaska House on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill to add a second verse to the state song that recognizes Alaska Natives.

A racism commission convened by Gov. Tony Knowles (D) had suggested the change. Republicans in the Legislature had questioned other recommendations made by the Governor's Commission on Tolerance but liked this one for some reason.

Rep. Carl Morgan, a Republican from Aniak, introduced the bill. He is on the Aniak Traditional Council.

The second verse, which was written by Carol Beery Davis in the 1980s, reads:

A Native lad chose the Dipper's stars
For Alaska's flag that there be no bars
Among our cultures. Be it known
Through years the Natives' past has grown
To share life's treasures, hand in hand,
To keep Alaska our Great Land;
We love the northern, midnight sky,
The mountains, lakes, and streams nearby.
The great North Star with its steady light
Will guide all cultures, clear and bright,
With nature's flag to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of the last frontier.

The bill has to be approved by the Senate.

Get the Story:
House OKs adding verse to song (AP 1/24)

Relevant Links:
Alaska Commission on Tolerance - http://www.gov.state.ak.us/tolerance

Related Stories:
Native center honors King (1/21)
GOPs balking at racism reforms (12/7)
Racism commission holds final hearings (10/22)
Paint-ball attacker wants to be let out (10/18)
Alaska Natives march to racism hearing (8/27)
Alaskans talk of racism at meeting (8/24)
Racism meeting begins in Alaska (8/23)
Sentencing considered for paint-ball attacker (8/15)
Neo-Nazi Group indicts Alaska Natives (8/14)
Racism persists, say Alaskans (8/3)
Second tolerance meeting held in Alaska (7/27)
Alaskans air stories of intolerance (7/19)
Alaska racism hearings begin tonight (7/18)
Alaska racism forum meets (6/29)
Officer cleared in shooting of Native man (6/11)
Native women call attention to rapes (5/29)
Art event targets Alaska Native rapes (5/24)
FBI holds hate crime seminar (5/22)
Paint-ball attack victim files lawsuit (5/16)
Groups seek teaching of Native culture (5/15)
Alaska Natives recall acts of racism (5/14)
Governor forms racism commission (5/2)
Racism forum held in Alaska (5/1)
Tourism director quits over Native remarks (4/30)
Woman sentenced for Native attack (4/30)
Racism hearings planned in Alaska (4/27)
Comments on Natives lead to reprimand (4/25)
Governor calls for action on racism (4/18)
Racism boycotts planned in Alaska (4/16)
Senator changes mind on racism vote (4/13)
Paint-ball resolution debated (4/12)
Alaska Natives call for racism study (4/2)
Students suspended for paint-ball attack (3/27)
Racism investigation urged in Alaska (3/23)
Paint-ball charges filed (3/22)
Forum focuses on racism in Alaska (3/19)
Paint-ball attack provokes Governor (3/14)
Attacks on Alaska Natives draw attention (2/28)
Community horrified by attacks on Natives (2/27)
Alaska Natives targeted by teens (2/26)