2009 Keynote Speakers:

William L. Iggiagruk Hensley

Born in a small house where Kotzebue Sound washes seafoam onto the Baldwin Peninsula's gravel shores, William L. Iggiagruk Hensley is an Inupiaq and lifelong Alaskan.

Willie is known for his service to Alaska in the public and business sectors. He has worn many hats. He was a Legislator in the House and Senate for ten years; was a founder of the Northwest Alaska Native Association (now Maniilaq Association); served Alaska Federation of Natives as a founding member, former President, Executive Director, Co-Chair and President Emeritus; was the founding President of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative from 1967-1971; was a Director of NANA Regional Corporation for twenty years, serving as President and Secretary, as well as President of NANA Development Corporation; is a former Commissioner of Commerce for the State of Alaska; and retired from Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.

Mr. Hensley is currently Chair of the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the First Alaskans Institute. He has spent the last several months promoting his book and discussing Alaska with people across the country and throughout the state, with the goal of clarifying and deepening people's understanding of our history - as Inupiat, as Alaska's indigenous people, as Alaskans, and as Americans.

Willie and his wife and partner of 35 years, Abbe, have four children -- Priscilla Naungagiaq Hensley Holthouse, Mary Lynn Aurvik Hightower, James Umiivik Hensley and Elizabeth Frances Saagulik Hensley. He also has two sons, Eric Aqpauk Mason and Baker Qingaqtak Hensley, and a step-daughter, Jennifer Goldberg, and six grandchildren.

Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley

Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley is Inupiaq from Anchorage and Kotzebue. Her parents are Abigale and William Hensley, and her grandparents are Gayle and James "Bud" Ryan and Priscilla Naungagiaq and John Aqpayuk Hensley.

Liz's interests include art, Inupiatun, anything outdoors (picking berries, running, biking), and enjoying time with friends and family. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2005, where she majored in Native American Studies and Anthropology. She received a juris doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Law in May 2009, with a certificate in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy.

Her legal experience has involved human rights, land and subsistence rights, and indigenous governance and economic development. Currently, Elizabeth is a legislative aide to State Representative Reggie Joule.