Hundreds paid their respects to Shirley Demientieff, a prominent Athabascan activist and community leader who died of lung cancer on January 3. She was 56.

Demientieff was a board member of Doyon Ltd., an Alaska Native regional corporation. She was active in the Fairbanks Native Association and the Tanana Chiefs Conference. She helped found the Alaska Natives Standing Up for Justice, which criticized the treatment of Natives in the justice system.

A little over a week ago, Demientieff had attended a celebration of her life at Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall. Hundreds passed through the hall again on Sunday to honor her contributions.

Get the Story:
Hundreds honor community activist and Native leader (The Fairbanks Daily News Miner 1/8)
Editorial: Shirley Demientieff (The Fairbanks Daily News Miner 1/8)
Shirley Demientieff, Alaska Native activist, dies at 56 (AP 1/3)
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