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Connecting people to Alaska’s diverse history, art and cultures by supporting the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum

ETHEL MONTGOMERY Scholarship Fund

In partnership with the First Alaskans Institute, the Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives & Museum provides funds to the Ethel Montgomery Scholarship program was established to assist university-level Alaska Native students majoring in museum studies. Ethel Montgomery, one of the first docents at the Alaska State Museum and longtime member of the Friends, was adopted into the Kaagwaantaan Wolf Clan and became an active member of the Alaska Native Sisterhood. One of her dreams was to help young Alaska Natives become curators and directors of museums that celebrate their cultures. The combination of her love for museums and for the Native people contributed to her establishment of this scholarship.

The first Intern to receive an Ethel Montgomery Scholarship was Andrea Cook.

In addition to learning basic job skills and the fundamentals of museum work, she also designed and completed a project to enhance the museum’s collections records. 11 objects she chose with connections to Hydaburg, her hometown. Unbeknownst to her at the outset, her Great Great-Grandfather, John Wallace, made three of these items. Over the course of Cook’s summer internship, she dug deep within the library and archives file, as well as reached out to her family in Hydaburg to learn more about John Wallace. Ultimately, Cook saw profound parallels between his life and her own journey. Her experience culminated with a presentation at UAS’s Power Privilege Symposium in November 2019. Video of Cook’s riveting presentation, “Toward Indigenous Collections Management at the Alaska State Museum” and community comments and questions are available on the UAS YouTube station.


Photo: First scholarship recipient and intern Andrea Cook is pictured weaving a cedar hat.



Ethel M. (Clayton) Montgomery's Story

 (1896-1989)

Ethel M. Clayton was one of the first docents at the Alaska State Museum and longtime member of the Friends, was adopted with the name Naats Klaa into the Kaagwaantaan Clan in the Wolf moiety by Jennie Thlunaut in Haines in 1964 and became an active member of the Alaska Native Sisterhood. She founded the Alaska Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative Association (ANAC), was active at Northern Light church, the American Legion, Salvation Army, and a 50-year member of P.E.O., a philanthropic and educational organization. Rotary’s Woman of the Year, Ethel Montgomery was recognized by the governor and legislature for her longtime community service.

Photo: Ethel Montgomery ASL-P348-767



© 2021 Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum

P.O. Box 22421, Juneau, AK 99802 

FoSLAM is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

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