Brenda Tiggausiña Itta-Lee was raised in Barrow, Alaska (Utqiaġvik) and currently lives in Anchorage.  Her parents, Noah and Mollie Itta, raised Itta-Lee and her ten brothers and sisters in a traditional environment and spoke only the Iñupiat language until she began her schooling. Like many Alaska Natives, she experienced many cultural changes within a relatively short period of time.  Itta-Lee is proud of her Iñupiat heritage, feels fortunate to be a bilingual and bicultural individual, and enjoys mentoring the younger generation who aspire to improve themselves and to become future leaders.

Itta-Lee graduated from the Mount Edgecumbe High School in Sitka and the Haskell Indian College in Kansas.  She then moved to Washington, D. C. to work as an aide for Senator Ernest Gruening.  In 1967 she traveled by airplane, snow machines and dog teams to over sixty-seven villages on behalf of the Senator to help identify legislative priorities of the residents of the communities within the Arctic Slope region, the NANA region, the Bering Straits region, and the villages surrounding the Bethel area.  This experience instilled in her a commitment to helping Alaska’s Native and rural people. While working with Senator Gruening Itta-Lee learned how to advance legislation at both the national and state levels, and she also learned the importance of effective communication between legislators and their constituents.  

After her return to Alaska from Washington D.C., Itta-Lee was able to use her new knowledge about legislative processes as she became an advocate for the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Itta-Lee was one of many people “drafted” by the Arctic Slope’s united leaders and elders to secure the passage of this landmark legislation.  This was an honor given to her by the traditional leaders of the Iñupiat people. She lobbied for the passage of ANCSA, along with Joe Upicksoun and Charlie Etok Edwardsen to name a couple from the Arctic Slope region.  The Arctic Slope Iñupiat people were heavily involved because of the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay, on the ancient lands of our people.  Itta-Lee speaks passionately of the dedication and hard work her fellow advocates performed for the passage of ANCSA in 1971.  The passage of ANCSA addressed the issues of aboriginal land claims in Alaska and provided support for regional and village corporations to stimulate economic development for the benefit of Native Alaskans. The creation of regional corporations throughout the State of Alaska has improved the economies of not just rural Alaska but also the economies of urban Alaska.  The State of Alaska has been enriched by the meaningful participation of Alaska Native leaders of the twelve regional corporations created by ANCSA. 

After the passage of ANCSA, Itta-Lee became the first Alaska Native woman to be elected to the Alaska State Legislature.  She was a member of the House Finance Committee that sponsored the legislation to create the Alaska Permanent Dividend Fund.  When Governor Hammond signed the bill, all Alaskan residents, Native and non-Native alike, gained a share of the wealth that was flowing into the Alaska State Treasury.  

Itta-Lee served as an elected member of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) Board of Directors for fifteen years and as a member of its Executive Management as the Second Vice President of the Board and Executive Vice President of Human Resources. She took the lead in the creation of the Human Resources (H.R.) Department with a strong focus on the ASRC Mission to enhance the economic and cultural freedoms of the Iñupiat. This program had strong backing and commitment from the ASRC Board of Directors and the Corporate Executive Management. The H.R. staff developed the goals, objectives, policies, and procedures and received approval from the Board and Management.  As a result, shareholder hire increased by 52%, and shareholder wages increased by 25% the following year. This trend continued to grow while she was the Executive Vice President of Human Resources. The increased employment of the Iñupiat shareholders brought more economic freedoms to the Iñupiat and other Alaskans in the State of Alaska. Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) is now the largest Alaskan-owned company in Alaska and employs about 14,000 people in Alaska and the Lower 48 states, with an annual revenue of $4 billion.

Itta-Lee fondly remembers the late Senator Ernest Gruening of Alaska.  She says “I was privileged to work for Senator Gruening in Washington, D.C. for a few years until he lost his election. I learned much from him and how he and his Jewish family handled discrimination and persecution. His family fled to the United States because of the Holocaust. He spoke six different languages, was a medical doctor and journalist, and later settled in Alaska as Territorial Governor and was elected to the U.S. Senate. His accomplishments were remarkable, despite the discrimination his family encountered. In Alaska, he saw signs of discrimination in public places throughout Alaska, stating “No Natives Allowed” and “Whites Only.” He issued orders to remove these discriminatory signs in his capacity and authority. One owner refused to remove his sign; Senator Gruening then climbed a ladder and personally removed his discrimination sign. Senator Gruening was passionate about ensuring justice for all races, including Alaska Natives. I deeply admired his quest for justice and have done my best to apply this trait to issues facing Alaska Natives.” 

Another Alaskan Itta-Lee remembers fondly is Martha Aiken.  Of Martha, she says “Martha spoke the Iñupiat language eloquently, knew and practiced the ancient values of the Iñupiat, and was a great teacher. She was a translator of the Bible from the English versions to the Iñupiaq language so our people could more easily understand the Word of God or the Bible. She was never afraid to talk about the truth but always mingled the truth with love. Spirituality or faith in God is one value of many that I deeply admired about Martha. Her lifestyle, knowledge, self-confidence, and leadership qualities have been great examples.”

Itta-Lee enjoyed mentoring young people, especially women, who have gone on to become executives not just within ASRC but also in other companies throughout the State of Alaska.  She had a plan which proved successful in the mentoring process.  She says “I would first ensure that the young women know and understand the definition of “goal” in English and her first language. I would ask her to summarize her job description if it is a work-related goal. After her goals are defined, I would ask her to develop short- and long-term goals, set objectives, and an implementation plan. I would work with her to ensure that she has the right tools and qualified staff members to help her accomplish her goals.”

Itta-Lee is married to Johnny H. Lee and has two stepchildren and three grandchildren.  She states, “Any successes I’ve had in life, I attribute to God, our Creator, to my family, parents, relatives, and the elders who have been my greatest mentors.  Our ancient values, including spirituality and a deep belief in God, still serve as vital foundations for our survival and success, if we apply them each day at home and work”.

Additional Sources of Information about Brenda Tiggausiña Itta-Lee

Native Women of Alaska Unite in Fight to Uplift Their People in New York Times 

www.Alaskool.org Online materials about Alaska Native history, education, languages, and cultures, Brenda Itta: Names, Notes and Quotes for Alaska Women, 1983, Alaska Commission on the Status of Women

The Arctic Sounder, March 1, 2011 Brenda Itta-Lee to join others in discussion about women’s role in ANCSA.

www.iaminupiaq.com