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William Iggiagruk Hensley (Iñupiaq) has been a leader of Native Alaskan rights and representation. He played a critical role in the creation of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, one of the largest and most important land claims by indigenous peoples in U.S. history. ANCSA provided about $1 billion to capitalize 12 regional corporations and 175 village corporations. This unique settlement maintained the tribes in Alaska but provided an avenue for Alaska Natives' vast participation in Alaska's economy and politics. His political career included a term in the Alaska House of Representatives (1967–1970), a four-year term in the Alaska Senate (1971–1974), and an additional appointed year in the Alaska Senate from 1987 to 1988. Hensley's impact outside of government service includes founding the Northwest Alaskan Natives Association Regional corporation, where he served as director and president. He also helped form the Alaska Federation of Natives and served as co-chairman, executive director, and president. He also is a founder of Maniilaq, a not-for-profit organization that provides essential services for the tribes of Northwest Alaska. He also served as Commerce Commissioner in the Administration of Gov Tony Knowles Hensley's biography, Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People, details a childhood growing up in rural Alaska with extended family and his journey as an Alaskan politician and native rights activist.