33 Facts About Willie Hensley

William L "Willie" Hensley was born on June 17,1941), known by his Inupiaq name Iggiagruk (.

Willie Hensley went on to serve a term in the Alaska House of Representatives, and then a four-year term in the Alaska Senate.

Willie Hensley served another year in the Alaska Senate from 1987 to 1988, when he was nominated by 6th Governor of Alaska Steve Cowper.

Willie Hensley has had an influential career outside of politics, as founder of the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association Regional corporation, where he served as president for 20 years.

Willie Hensley helped form the Alaskan Natives Federation and served as co-chairman, executive director, and president.

Willie Hensley is a founder of Maniilaq, a not-for-profit organization that provides essential services for the tribes of Northwest Alaska.

Since retiring from politics, Willie Hensley has written a book titled Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People.

The book entails Willie Hensley's childhood growing up in rural Alaska with extended family and his journey as an Alaskan politician and native rights activist.

Willie Hensley was born into a small community in Northwest Alaska, 40 miles above the Arctic Circle.

Willie Hensley's father was a Jewish Lithuanian fur trader who Hensley never met, and his mother was an Inupiat Eskimo from Kotzebue.

For secondary education, Willie Hensley attended Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy now known as The King's Academy in Seymour, Tennessee.

At boarding school, Willie Hensley was a one-time halfback and the co-caption of the school's football team as well as being voted class president.

Willie Hensley studied law at the University of Alaska, University of New Mexico and University of California.

Willie Hensley's paper was handed out in the first Alaskan Federation of Native convention, which he co-chaired.

In 1966, at the age of 25, Willie Hensley was elected to a position in the House of Representatives for ten years.

Willie Hensley was a Democratic member for both terms and took special interest in native affairs.

Willie Hensley was first elected to the Alaskan Senate in 1971 for a four-year term.

Willie Hensley served on the subcommittees of water resources and of Indian affairs.

Willie Hensley was appointed to the Alaskan Senate for the second time on 20 January 1987 until 1988.

Willie Hensley was elected to fill a vacant seat due to the resignation of senator Frank Ferguson.

Willie Hensley served as Commissioner of Commerce under Alaskan Governor Tony Knowles.

Willie Hensley ran as the Democratic candidate, but lost to Republican candidate Don Young by 7.68 per cent.

In 1994, Willie Hensley was chosen by Alaskan Governor Tony Knowles to be Commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development.

Willie Hensley was a principal founder of the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1966, serving as president, executive director, president and cochair of the association.

Willie Hensley chaired the first AFN convention that was to create the land claims committee in order to achieve a united front regarding the recognition of native land claims and to establish native Alaskans as a strong political force.

Willie Hensley became executive director of the Northwest Alaska Native Association.

Willie Hensley served as director of the corporation for over 20 years, before becoming its president.

In 1966, Willie Hensley was one of the founders of the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association.

In 1997, Willie Hensley joined the company Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.

Willie Hensley was appointed Manager of Federal government relations head of the Washington DC Willie Hensley's responsibilities included acting as liaison between Alyeska staff and native Alaskan communities.

Since 2011, Willie Hensley became a distinguished visiting professor at the University of Alaska in the Department of Business and Public Policy.

In 1966, Willie Hensley wrote a paper for a constitutional law class at the University of Alaska.

Willie Hensley married his wife Abigale Willie Hensley in 1974 and they have four children, Priscilla, Mollie, James, and Elizabeth.