This Friday, April 29, Mike Williams Sr. will get an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Williams Sr. is among 3 honorees the University recognized for their work as teachers in 2022.
For nearly 50 years, the Akiak Tribal Chief has actually been a supporter for sober living. After losing 6 of his siblings to suicide and alcohol-related deaths, Williams Sr. started working with the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation to establish its behavioral health department to assist neighborhoods fight drug abuse.
Williams Sr. has actually promoted sober living through lots of efforts, and maybe the most popular is his project for sobriety through mushing. Over his profession as a competitive musher, Williams ran 15 Iditarod Sled Canine Races and 29 Kuskokwim 300s with the message to other Alaskans that the custom of mushing is a healthy, holistic option to drugs or alcohol. The Iditarod has actually called Williams Sr. the race’s A lot of Inspiring Musher 3 times for promoting his message of sobriety on the path. However for Williams Sr., acknowledgment is not as essential as making a distinction in his neighborhood.
” I’m truly striving to be an example that we can live drug abuse complimentary [lives], being healthy physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually,” stated Williams Sr.
Williams is likewise a supporter for Native culture and language, acting as a board member for the Yupiit School District and the Alaska State Board of Education.
Williams Sr. stated that his biggest accomplishment there has actually been carrying out Native education and language immersion programs. “It was among among those little wins that we needed to include: appreciating our Native cultures at the state level. Supplying sufficient, culturally appropriate education to our kids.”
This year’s honorary degree receivers will be recognized April 29 at 5 p.m. in the Charles Davis Auditorium. The event is likewise a possibility to honor Williams Sr. for his nearly 5 years of work to promote healthy way of lives rooted in Native understanding and language in Alaska, something he anticipates to continue.
” It’s an honor to be recognized like this,” Williams Sr. stated of the honor. “And I understand I’m a little ashamed sometimes, however it’s something that I accepted happily and enthusiastically, and I’m going to enjoy it for the rest of my life.”