Even in a state whose
history is populated with so many unique characters, Marvin “Muktuk” Marston
stands out as one of the most incredible Alaskans of the twentieth century. In
addition to organizing the Alaska Territorial Guard during WWII, a service that
brought Alaska Natives into the political sphere with lasting effects to this
day, Marston was as a miner, real estate developer in Anchorage, and delegate
to the Constitutional Convention in 1955-56.
While commanding the ATG,
the always outspoken Marston wrote numerous memos advocating for the social and
economic betterment of Alaska Natives. Although in describing his Native
friends he often lapsed into the paternalistic rhetoric common of the
time—“dusky-skinned,” “simple, kindly folk,” that sort of thing—Marston was a
staunch advocate for equality and civil rights. There is little evidence his
superiors at Fort Richardson ever acted on or even paid attention to Marston’s
missives. In fact, he often found himself combating the overt racism of the
officer class who believed Alaska Natives to be inferior beings who lacked the
capacity for military discipline.
Reading Marston’s memos
today one is struck by his foresight and passion. One can also see his thinking
that led him, as a Constitutional Convention delegate a decade after the war,
to speak so forcefully in support of Native land claims.
What follows is an excerpt
from his “Five Point Post-War Program for the Eskimo,” an undated memo (circa
1945) that resides in the Otto Geist Collection (ATG Papers) at the University
of Alaska Fairbanks. A biography of Muktuk Marston needs to be written; I hope
a historian out there is willing to take on the task!
--
“In light of [Alaska
Natives’ service in the ATG], I submit the following post-war program for the
Eskimo, believing it to be a sound military program, as well as an humanitarian
undertaking:
“FIRST, make adequate fuel
supplies available immediately for all native villages by opening up nearby
coal and oil deposits. There is an unestimated amount of good coal and fuel oil
scattered generously throughout Alaska.
“SECOND, segregate the
active cases of tuberculosis…so that young and healthy members of the family
can have a fair chance to escape this prevalent plague. . . . Complete hospital
equipment should be retained at each [village]. Furthermore, a long range
health program should be set up and initiated immediately.
“THIRD, reestablish the
reindeer industry. . . . These reindeer herds can become one of Alaska’s most
valuable industries, if properly handled. . . . All too often, the Eskimo faces
the winter with overalls and cotton shirt, or shoddy cloth garments, wholly
inadequate for the severe northern climate. As a result, he is unable to follow
his trapline, and he and his family go hungry. Even if benevolent Uncle Sam
rescues him from starvation, he has been robbed of his self-reliance and
independence. These reindeer herds should be a guarantee of food and clothing
for him.
“FOURTH, restore and
conserve as many of the tribal customs as practical. Establish a community
center, so it can take its true place as the center of tribal life. In making
available the so-called blessings of civilization, encourage the native to
retain his racial distinction, and respect his tradition and mores.
“FIFTH, some means of
travel and communication between villages, particularly in the winter season,
should be devised and inaugurated immediately. In the absence of roads and
landing fields, snowmobiles of some type might be used on the ice.
“The above suggestions, I
consider, represent the minimum possible in any post-war program for the
Eskimo. These simple, kindly folk can become happy, useful citizens of our most
northern frontier, if they are considered first by the Territory. Much has been
written and said about our treatment of another primitive race whose lands we
appropriated. We are about to open up and develop the wealth and natural
resources of the Arctic. Let it not be said that the white man sacrificed the
native on the altar of his own greed.”
