 Flags Lowered in Southeast In Honor Of Stella Martin Grand President Emeritus of Alaska Native Sisterhood Honored August 30, 2002
According to information provided by the Office of the Governor, Martin first became a member of Sitka ANS Camp #4 in 1941 and was an active ANS member in each community in which she lived. She was elected ANS Grand President for the first time at age 35. She was also elected ANS Grand Secretary. Stella Martin was also involved with the Salvation Army and the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. She served as a council member of the local Community Council and as a delegate to the Central Council General Assembly for many years. She also served a term as one of the first Tribal Judges. Martin earned many honors for her work, including the Sealaska Woman of the Year award, the Elizabeth Peratrovich ANS Citizenship award, and a Woman of Distinction award from AWARE. She was also named Delegate of the Year by Tlingit and Haida. Stella Martin was born in Kake to Charles and Annie Johnson. She was Tsaagweidei, Killer Whale Clan, of the Yellow Cedar House (Xaai Hit') and the Eagle Moiety. She attended school at Sheldon Jackson before marrying Robert Rueben Martin in Sitka. They were married for 46 years, and had 6 children, Bob Jr. (Virginia) of Juneau; Bill (Lorraine) of Fremont, California; Priscilla (Jim) Steele of Juneau, Rena of Seattle, George of Watsonville, California; and Michele of Juneau. She had 17 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, as well as an extended family of "adopted" loved ones. A memorial service for Stella Martin will be held at the Juneau ANB hall on Friday, August 30th at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at the Tlingit & Haida Community Center on Saturday, August 31st at 2:00 p.m. In recognition
of her service to the State of Alaska, Gov. Tony Knowles ordered
state flags within Southeast Alaska lowered to half-staff today,
August 30th, in memory of Stella Martin. Flags will return to
full staff at the end of the business day.
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