Fred John Jr. was born in Susluta, Alaska in 1943 to the last traditional chief of Mentasta Fred John Sr. and Native rights advocate Katie John. He is Athabaskan and is affiliated with the Mentasta tribe and a shareholder of Ahtna Corporation. He was raised in Mentasta but at seven years old he was sent to attend school in Wrangell, Alaska. Graduating high school in 1963, Fred attended Haskell Institute for two years and then joined the Navy from 1965-1968. Fred has been married for 44 years to his wife Linnea and has had four daughters and one son. He graduated from USF with two years of counseling training. Fred works as a recovery counselor in Old Minto, Alaska. He has also worked for the Indian Child Welfare Act in Mentasta, Alaska. Fred has dedicated his time and knowledge on other boards such as AHTNA Corporation representing the village of Mentasta, member of the subsistence advisory board for eleven years, and has been an elder representative for the Alaska Federation of Natives. Fred carries on his mother’s legacy of advocating for the Native rights of Alaska. He joined Alaska Pacific University’s Elder’s Council because he wanted to share his knowledge with the community and the students of APU. He is interested in the transition of APU becoming a tribal college and supports elders guiding this transition. He wants all students to have the ability to go to school and get a great education to become active members of society.
