Palmer representative sponsors resolution that leads to coin in honor Alaska Native civil rights leader

PALMER — A Palmer representative sponsored HJR 9, and now Elizabeth Peratrovich will have a United States $1 coin in her honor.

“Specialty coinage is a great way for us to honor our heritage and honor those who have made significant contribution to our state,” Rep. DeLena Johnson said in a press release issued by the Alaska House Republicans. “I hope to see these coins open for general circulation in Alaska, and not just in the hands of private collectors. Through this coin her historical contributions will be remembered around the world for centuries to come.”

Peratrovich and Alaska’s Anti-Discrimination Law was the theme for the coin, according to the U.S. Mint. Peratrovich was instrumental in the effort to make the law official in 1945. The coin features the image of Peratrovich and a Tlingit raven. Peratrovich was born in Petersburg in 1911. More than six decades after her death, Peratrovich continues to be recognized as one of the greatest activists for Alaska Native rights.

U.S. Mint acting deputy director Patrick Hernandez made the design public during the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood Convention in Anchorage last week.

The coin will be available in 2020.

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