Frances Kay Wallis (born c. 1944) is an American (Gwichyaa Gwichʼin) traditional healer and former politician. She is a tribal doctor with the Southcentral Foundation. Wallis was a Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 24th district from 1985 to 1990.
F. Kay Wallis | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 24th district | |
| In office 1985–1990 | |
| Preceded by | Vernon L. Hurlbert |
| Succeeded by | Georgianna Lincoln |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1944 Fort Yukon, Alaska, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Alaska Fairbanks |
| Occupation | Traditional healer |
Life
editWallis was born c. 1944 in Fort Yukon, Alaska.[1] She was raised in the foster care system.[1] Wallis is a member of the Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich'in Tribe.[2][3] She earned a B.S. at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.[4]
Wallis has held various roles including being a college recruiter for the Tanana Chiefs Conference, a legislative aide in the Alaska State Legislature, and an advocate for the Gwichyaa Gwich'in Tribal Government.[4] She has also been involved in service organizations like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Family Centered Services.[4]
Wallis, a Democrat, was elected a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 24th district based in Fort Yukon.[5][6] In 1985, she succeeded Vernon L. Hurlbert.[5][6] In the 1980s, she introduced a resolution advocating for the return of Native Alaskan remains from the Smithsonian Institution.[7] The resolution, which successfully passed the Alaska legislature and received the governor's signature, was part of Wallis' broader effort to assist Native Alaskans in reclaiming approximately 6,000 ancestral remains currently held by the Smithsonian.[7] Wallis viewed this legislative achievement as a critical first step in addressing the ongoing repatriation of Indigenous remains.[7] She served until 1990 when she was succeeded by Georgianna Lincoln.[6] Wallis is recognized for her contributions to both state governance and Indigenous advocacy in Alaska.[4][8]
Wallis is a traditional healer.[1] As of 2023, Wallis is a tribal doctor in the Southcentral Foundation's traditional healing clinic.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Giving thanks in 3 Alaska Native languages". KTOO. 2022-11-25. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ "Kay Wallis (Athapascan), 1967 May 08 | ArchivesSpace Public Interface". archivespace.lib.utah.edu. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ Wallis, F. Kay (May 1, 2016). "Supplemental Notice of Public RulemakingProposed AFCARS data elements related to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978RIN 0970-AC47Federal Register (April 7, 2016)". www.regulations.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ a b c d "100 Years of Alaska's Legislature". akleg.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ a b "Kay Wallis (10957h) | CAWP Data". cawpdata.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ a b c "Alaska Constitutional Convention" (PDF). Alaska State Legislature. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ a b c Lowen, Sara (1988-06-16). "Bones of Contention". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ "Alaska Subsistence: A NPS Management History (Chapter 7)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ "2023 Living Our Values Award Recipients" (PDF). Anchorage Native News. Southcentral Foundation. Fall 2023.