Join us in the Commemoration of
an Alaskan & American Icon
The Walter Harper Project
Help us build a life size bronze statue to commemorate Walter Harper, the first person to reach the summit of Denali.
" ... I was ahead all day and was the first ever to set foot on Mt. Denali."— Walter Harper climbing journal, 1913.About Us: The Walter Harper Project
Alaskans representing the Walter Harper Project have launched a drive that will culminate in a life-size bronze statue of Walter Harper, the first person to summit Denali. The statue will be placed in Fairbanks, where the 1913 expedition began. Episcopal Archdeacon Hudson Stuck and the rugged outdoorsman Harry Karstens co-led the expedition. The Koyukon-Athabascan Harper, along with Tennessean Robert Tatum, completed the four-member ascent team. Athabascan youths John Fredson and Esaias George provided vital support, including transporting supplies and equipment to the base camp. Fredson manned the basecamp while the ascent team members scaled the mountain. The Walter Harper Project will recognize Harper’s critical role in the pioneer ascent team’s success, which was long unrecognized. Harper’s expert subsistence skills, superb athlete condition, courage, and cheerfulness moved the team forward under the most trying conditions. On summit day, Harper, the team member in the best condition, took the lead position and thus reached the peak first. For several years, Harper served as Archdeacon Stuck’s trail guide, riverboat pilot, interpreter, and right hand man, as they traveled among the Episcopal missions, Native communities, and mining camps of Alaska’s northern Interior. Wherever they stopped, Harper’s subsistence skillset, integrity, magnetic personality, and ability to navigate in both his Athabascan culture and in mainstream American society won him admirers. He planned to become a medical missionary to Interior Alaska Natives. Tragically, when he was just 25 years old, he and his wife of seven weeks, Frances Wells Harper, drowned in the 1918 sinking of the Princess Sophia.
Walter Harper Day
On Sunday, June 7, 2020, Alaska celebrated the first annual Walter Harper Day, in recognition of the Koyukon Athabascan man who on June 7, 1913 was the first person to stand atop Denali, North America’s tallest mountain and the dominant landmark of Alaska’s Interior, Harper’s homeland. Fairbanks Senator Click Bishop introduced Senate Bill 144 “An Act establishing June 7 of each year as Walter Harper Day.” Alaska’s Senate and House of Representatives both passed the bill unanimously, and Governor Dunleavey signed the bill on April 29. The act recognizes not only Harper’s critical role in the success of the pioneer summit of Denali, but his “superb subsistence skills, his integrity, his strong sense of identity and purpose, and his ability to navigate comfortably in both the Athabascan culture and other cultures of the United States.”
Gary Lee Price
"Lifting the Human Spirit Through Sculpture"
The Walter Harper Project Team is pleased to announce our selection of renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price as the artist for the Walter Harper sculpture.
Read announcement here at the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer.
Photos: Gary Lee Price with Joan (courtesy of Gary Lee Price) and the artist visiting Fairbanks with WHP member Darlene Bishop.
Michael Harper
Anchorage, AK
Relative of Walter Harper
Bill Gordon
Fairbanks, AK
Life Long Alaskan; Former Staff Assistant to Governor Jay Hammond
Mary Ehrlander
Olympia, WA/Fairbanks, AK
Author of Walter Harper, Alaska Native Son; UAF Professor of History
Darlene Bishop
Fairbanks, AK
Retired teacher, Breast Cancer Detection Center board of director
Tanya Kaquatosh
Fairbanks, AK
Sr. VP of Administration- Doyon, Limited
Diana Campbell
Fairbanks, AK
Relative of John Fredson, first ascent team.
Angela J. Linn
Fairbanks, AK
Senior Collections Manager, UA Museum of the North
email the team
Email the team directly to learn more!
Fairbanks Native Association
501C3 Partnership
September 30,2019
We are excited to announce our partnership with the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA).
Walter Harper Day
Alaska State Senator Click Bishop
October 2, 2019
Senator Click Bishop and staff are working with the Walter Harper Project to have a state day of recognition on June 7th for Walter Harper and the expedition.
Walter Harper: Alaska Native Son
Author talk with Mary Ehrlander
Introduction by Harper relatives Toni Mallott and Tom Paddock. Watch here on KTOO 360TV.
State of Alaska Legislative Session 2020
Walter Harper Day
January 21, 2020
A special thanks to Senator Click Bishop and Darwin Peterson for putting together the legislation to create a Walter Harper Day. Sponsor statement here.
The Walter Harper Day Bill Passes Senate & House!
Walter Harper Day Approved!
The State of Alaska Senate and House of Representatives passed SB144 creating Walter Harper Day. The bill now awaits the Governor Dunleavy's signature.
Walter Harper Day is Official
Governor signs SB144
April 29, 2020
Governor Dunleavy signed SB144 into law, officially designating June 7 as Walter Harper Day.
Sculpture Site Chosen
Harper Statue to be placed at Doyon, Ltd headquarters
July 24, 2020
Doyon, Limited announced that when completed, the Walter Harper statue will be housed outside of the Doyon Plaza in downtown Fairbanks. Thank you to the Doyon board of directors who approved this request.
First Alaskans Institute Supports Project
Elders & Youth Conference Passes Resolution
October 14, 2020
The 2020 Elders and Youth Conference of the First Alaskans Institute passed a resolution of support for the Walter Harper Project. See the full resolution here.
AFN Supports Project
AFN Board Passes Resolution
December 8, 2020
The AFN Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of the Walter Harper Project . Stay tuned for the link to the resolution!
Walter Harper Day
By Robyne: Interview with Mary Ehrlander and Sarah Obed. Published June 7, 2021
Radio Host David Pruhs: 1913 Denali Expedition
Hear from expedition descendants and WHP team members.
Interview with Walter Harper's great grand nephew, Mike Harper, and Johnny Fredson's granddaughter, Diana Campbell. Listen here.
PBS "Molly of Denali" The Great One, Bonus Episode
For the kids ... young and old!
Learn about climbing Denali, then and now.
Harper's Last Living Niece
Mary Harper Denton, 93.
Mary Harper Denton, of Bickley, Georgia recently donated $2,500 to the Walter Harper Project. This is significant as she is Walter Harper’s niece and the last living descendant of that generation. WHP Committee Member, Michael Harper, spoke to his Aunt Mary recently to share the progress of the Walter Harper Project. At age 93, Mary was pleasantly surprised and delighted to hear of the statue’s progress and how her donation will help.
From the Desk of Mary F. Ehrlander:
Reflections on the Appeal and Value of Biography
Blog from Ms. Ehrlander in celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Ms. Ehrlander.
Athabascan in the Spotlight:
Walter Harper
Koyukon Athabascan blogger, Angela Gonzalez, speaks with Mike Harper and writes about Walter Harper Day here.
More to Come...
Download Now!
Alaskan Singer & Songwriter Ben Balivet created this song to commemorate Walter Harper and support the Walter Harper Project.
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