Oliver, Ethel Ross

Ethel Ross Oliver came to Alaska with her first husband. After her husband's death, Oliver returned to school, received her degree in education and began her career as a teacher. In 1943, Oliver met, and later married, Simeon "Nutchuk" Oliver, an Aleut writer. In 1946 the couple moved to Atka village, in the Aleutian Islands, where Ethel taught school and Simeon acted as liaison between the government and the people of the village. The population of Atka included Aleuts who had been relocated by the U.S. government or held prisoner by the Japanese during World War II. In 1950, Ethel Ross Oliver served as a federal census taker for the Arctic region of Alaska. Her duties took her among the inland Eskimos of Anaktuvuk Pass known as the Nunamiut. After leaving Anaktuvuk Pass, Oliver corresponded Simon Paneak, a Nunamiut leader, as well as others from the area. Oliver continued to be involved in education, helping draft the first minimum wage law for Alaska teachers. She retired to Eugene, Oregon in 1963 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1978.

From the description of Ethel Ross Oliver collection, 1914-1988. (University of Alaska, Fairbanks). WorldCat record id: 244639153

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