F. Kay Wallis Explained

F. Kay Wallis
Office:Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 24th district
Term Start:1985
Term End:1990
Succeeded:Georgianna Lincoln
Birth Place:Fort Yukon, Alaska, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:University of Alaska Fairbanks
Predecessor:Vernon L. Hurlbert
Occupation:Traditional healer

Frances Kay Wallis (born) 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.

Life

Wallis was born in Fort Yukon, Alaska.[1] She was raised in the foster care system. 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. She has also been involved in service organizations like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Family Centered Services.

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. 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. Wallis viewed this legislative achievement as a critical first step in addressing the ongoing repatriation of Indigenous remains. She served until 1990 when she was succeeded by Georgianna Lincoln. Wallis is recognized for her contributions to both state governance and Indigenous advocacy in Alaska.[8]

Wallis is a traditional healer. As of 2023, Wallis is a tribal doctor in the Southcentral Foundation's traditional healing clinic.[9]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-11-25 . Giving thanks in 3 Alaska Native languages . 2024-08-18 . KTOO . en-US.
  2. Web site: Kay Wallis (Athapascan), 1967 May 08 ArchivesSpace Public Interface . 2024-08-18 . archivespace.lib.utah.edu.
  3. Web site: 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) . 2024-08-18 . www.regulations.gov.
  4. Web site: 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature . 2024-08-18 . akleg.gov.
  5. Web site: Kay Wallis (10957h) CAWP Data . 2024-08-18 . cawpdata.rutgers.edu.
  6. Web site: Alaska Constitutional Convention . 2024-08-17 . Alaska State Legislature.
  7. Web site: Lowen . Sara . 1988-06-16 . Bones of Contention . 2024-08-18 . Chicago Reader . en-US.
  8. Web site: Alaska Subsistence: A NPS Management History (Chapter 7) . 2024-08-18 . www.nps.gov.
  9. News: Fall 2023 . 2023 Living Our Values Award Recipients . Anchorage Native News . Southcentral Foundation.