Hundreds gathered Sunday to listen to music, dance, eat and donate money for the Fairbanks Four.
The fundraiser at the Cook Inlet Tribal Council raised more than $7,000 for George Frese, Kevin Pease, Marvin Roberts and Eugene Vent, whose convictions in the 1997 murder of John Hartman were tossed out Friday.
Isaac Bartley was one of about 20 volunteers who prepared and served about 300 Indian tacos – those are tacos made with fry bread – which sold for $10 each.
“People were lining up like crazy, out the door,” Bartley said.
Agatha Ericson says the donated items sold in a silent auction brought in more than $2,000.
“We had jars of fish and jam that went for $300,” she said. “We had blackberries. We also had some beautiful birch bark baskets, and some seal skin slippers. We also had some wood carvings, a beautiful cribbage board too that went for quite a bit of money as well, carved cribbage board.”
Several groups, including the Unity Drummers, the Tlingit and Haida Dancers of Anchorage, and Marc Brown and the Troublemakers with guest Gary Farmer performed that evening.
Demaris Hudson heads up the Ida’ina K’eljeshna Dancers. She says pulling together to support each other is important, and she wants to set an example for young people on how to face and overcome issues.
“When it comes to our Native people, not only here in Alaska but across the (all of) Indian Country, issues arise, and we are stronger as a people with more than one voice, when we stand united and support each other,” Hudson said.
Two of the Fairbanks Four spoke to the crowd by telephone from Fairbanks.
“Just know I love you all. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve ever done,” Freese said.
Vent also expressed gratitude.
“I just want you guys to know from the bottom of my heart. It means the world to me because when we were down, we watched you guys, talked to you. You gave us strength,” he said.
Organizer Rodney McCord said he and Samuel Johns took just a little over a week to set up the event ahead of Christmas, and he’s pleased with the turnout.
“Tons and tons of people gathering for a good cause, for the Fairbanks Four to raise them some money so they could have a merry Christmas,” McCord said. “It was such a blessing. I can’t even explain how happy this made me feel.”
The money from the fundraiser will be deposited in a bank account for the Fairbanks Four. Another fundraiser for the men is being hosted online.
