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DECEMBER 4, 2000

Fred John Sr., the last traditional chief of the Mentasta Tribe of Alaska, and the husband of Katie John, the subsistence rights activist, died on Sunday.

His exact age is not known, although he was over 90. Both Fred and Katie fought for the land and subsistence rights of Alaska Natives.

In 1995, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal government was obligated to protect subsistence rights on waters reserved by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The federal government assumed management responsibility of subsistence fisheries in October 1999.

Earlier this year, the court granted a motion by the state of Alaska to have the entire panel of judges rehear the case. A hearing has been set for December 20.

Get the Story:
Tribe loses Fred John Sr., Native leader and husband of Katie John (Anchorage Daily News 12/4)

Get the Case:
State of Alaska v. Babbitt (Ninth Circuit. Nos. 94-35480, 94-35481. December 1995)