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Arts & Culture

Island Interviews

Historian shares how Unalaska is uniquely tied to the Alaska state flag design

By Sofia Stuart-Rasi

Published July 9, 2024 at 11:42 AM AKDT

Benny Benson and local Coe Whittern standing in front of the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska. According to Michael Livingston, the photo was likely taken shortly before Benson's death in 1972. — Benny Benson and local Coe Whittern standing in front of the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska. Livingston said, according to Whittern, the photo was taken shortly before Benson's death in 1972.

Alaska Flag Day is celebrated every July 9 to honor the state's flag, which was designed by Benny Benson in 1927 after winning a two-part contest.

In this episode of "Island Interviews," Historian Dr. Michael Livingston, who recently wrote a paper about Benson, discusses the state flag contest and some challenges Benson faced while competing. He also shares how Benson's Unangax̂ heritage might have influenced his design for the state flag and that some say the design originated in Unalaska.

This interview originally aired on KUCB on July 9, 2024.

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Island Interviews Alaska State Flag Benny Benson Jesse Lee Home

Sofia Stuart-Rasi

Sofia was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. She’s reported around the U.S. for local public radio stations, NPR and National Native News. Sofia has a Master of Arts in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana, a graduate certificate in Documentary Studies from the Salt Institute and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from the University of Colorado Boulder. In between her studies, Sofia was a ski bum in Telluride, Colorado for a few years.

See stories by Sofia Stuart-Rasi

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