MEDIA ADVISORY

TO:                     News Directors, Education Reporters and PSA Directors

FROM:                 University Relations

SUBJECT:            UAF to Celebrate Elizabeth Peratrovich Day

LOCATION:          UAF Salisbury Theatre

DATE & TIME:     Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002 from 4 - 7 p.m

In honor of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day on Feb. 16, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Native Education and the Alaska Native Studies Program is sponsoring "My Spirit Raised Its Hands," an abridged presentation of the story of Tlingit Elizabeth Peratrovich and her role in Alaska civil rights. This one-woman play re-enacts the speech Peratrovich made before the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1945 which inspired the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill.

The play, written and performed by Tlingit playwright Diane E. Benson, Lxeis´, will take place Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. in the Salisbury Theatre in the UAF Fine Arts Complex. CACNE will present a plaque honoring Peratrovich for permanent display in the Regents Great Hall. A reception will follow the performance.

The play, free of charge to the public, was first performed at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

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CONTACT: Phyllis Fast, UAF Alaska Native Studies at (907) 474-6604 or Carla Browning, UAF Public Information Officer at (907) 474-7778.

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