Last Living Signature Holder of ANCSA

    Cheryl Palmer, a small unassuming woman in her early 50's, has an unusual claim to fame. Yet she doesn't seem famous in the least bit. She is the only living person to be listed on an actual treaty between the U.S. Government and a Native tribe, the Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), when her name was signed on the treaty however she was 7 years old and had no idea she was even a Native American, her biological father had signed her name and her two older sisters names to the treaty to ensure their fair treatment in the future.

  Cheryl was adopted when she was around 6 months old. She grew up in Eltopia Washington with her adoptive parents the Palmer's until she moved away from home at 16. When asked about herself she said, "I am an only child with 5 sisters. I was raised by my widowed father in small town Eltopia with nothing to do but get into trouble" as she laughed.

 (Cultural Awareness) final project. (courtesy of Palmer)

  She didn't know about her sisters and her heritage until she was introduced to them when she was 21 years of age. She has since learned who her parents were and what tribe she originates from. She still dreams of traveling to Alaska if not to live than just to visit. The Ninilchick Native Corporation keeps in contact and sends her updates on the council and what they are planning. She is also a member enrolled with the Cook Inlet regional Incorporation, which keeps her up to date on every major event.

            Cheryl is a very animated person. For example when she is passionate about something she taps her toe on the floor. She also dresses a little more colorfully than the average person. She laughs quickly and smiles often. Cheryl is an incredibly creative and passionate individual and holds a deep love for the great outdoors as well as active pursuit of photography and craft. She is an eccentric person who loves travel and cultures, especially Native American cultures.          

Common Talking Stick (Courtesy Palmer)

  Her hobbies and passions include the carving of walking sticks and native “talking sticks.” Cheryl also enjoys making native and local jewelry, sketching native design, and the study of her heritage and tribal history. She is also fond of fishing both for fun and food.

   Perhaps though Cheryl feels her greatest enjoyment comes from the simple act of hiking and walking trails and woodland areas where she furthers her crafts by collecting everything from sticks and stones to dead animals along the highway; which she uses for their bones, skins, furs, and feathers. She took the time to show me her huge collection of rocks from across the country. She not only collects incredibly beautiful and hard to find rocks and shells but also various woodland items of the unusual and odd.

  Cheryl has a tendency to decorate her house with native blankets for curtains, from various tribal nations. You can also find bundles of sage and juniper everywhere in her house. Artwork in various stages can be found all over the house, most seem to follow some connection to her emotions of the week. Some in the sketch stage, others in pre carving or soak phase, and some are in the final stages of either painting or

Finished Gourd bowl (courtesy Palmer)

varnishing. Some just looked out of place, like the toadstool book-ends.   

            When asked about where she has lived or been she laughed and said "it would be so much easier to tell you where I haven't been. I feel I am a gypsy by heart if not by birth." Cheryl later revealed that she had live in at least ten states if not more she claims to have lost count.

Cheryl is an advocate for mentally handicapped community as well generally helping others when able. She has worked with the developmentally disabled and also with the elderly. Cheryl enjoys the feeling of helping others she says and gave the impression of often having a warm inviting personality to match her friendly sun worn face.

  

Cheryl preferred to have no pictures taken of her personally.

At a glance

Born in Portland OR, Jan. 21^st 1964

Current residence: Albany OR

Education: Central Oregon Community College 1995 BA Computer Repair Technician

Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act 1971 member

CIRI (Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated) member

Email: eltopia39@gmail.com

Facebook at Cheryl  Palmer