Kodiak, AK 1772

Kodiak, AK Lodge News

Benny Benson Member of Kodiak Lodge #1772

Benny was the first Alaska Native
to be officially admitted to the Elk’s
Club in Alaska. John Gibbons of
Kodiak sponsored him and recalled
that Benny broke racial barriers as
Elk’s Lodges in the southern United
States argued against his initiation
because of race. Despite these
protests, Benny was admitted to the
Kodiak Elk’s Lodge #1772 in the early
1960s, paving the way for other
Alaska Natives to join the fraternal
organization