Alaska flag designer Benny Benson considered for posthumous enrollment in Qawalangin Tribe
Genealogical research uncovers new background for designer of Alaska flag nearly 100 years later
UNALASKA, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska flag designer Benny Benson is being considered for posthumous tribal enrollment by the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, in light of new genealogical research.
A study published in 2022 found that previous understandings of his cultural background — that perhaps he had Alutiiq roots — were inaccurate.
It found that Benson was Unangax̂ from Unalaska.
“Previously, we thought Benny was Alutiiq because he was born in Chignik, which is Alutiiq territory. He moved to Seattle and then later on he moved to Kodiak, which is Alutiiq territory,” said Micheal Livingston, one of the study’s authors. “But it really doesn’t matter where we Alaska Natives are born ... what matters is where our ancestors are from.”
Benson — born John Ben Benson Jr. — won the flag design contest in 1927 at 14 years old while living at an orphanage in Seward.
The study looked deeper into Benson’s family tree to determine his lineage.
Livingston found that his mother, who died of pneumonia when he was a toddler, was born in Unangax̂ territory.
“Benny Benson’s mother, Tatiana, was born and raised in Unalaska. His grandparents were born and raised in Unalaska. His great-grandparents were from Amlia Village by Atka,” he explained. “Clearly, Benny Benson is of Unangax̂ heritage.”
After the study was published, Livingston sent a request to the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, of which he is a member, asking to grant Benson posthumous tribal membership.
Council President and interim Tribal Administrator Shayla Shaishnikoff said the move is symbolic of “reclaiming who we are,” something she believes was taken from Benson.
“Forces of assimilation have caused some of our cultural practices to go to sleep. It’s created a disconnect for some individuals to their culture,” she explained. “This really is like a small piece to a much larger picture of a movement that we are experiencing nationwide of revitalization and reclaiming our identities.”
The next step is for the enrollment committee to confirm his lineage. Shaishnikoff said it’s hard to estimate when the committee will make a decision, as they have other applications to consider and the process of their investigation can be lengthy.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that Benson won the Alaska state flag contest in 1929. He won the competition in 1927.
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