Tillie Paul

AKA: Matilda Kinnon Paul Tamaree; Tillie Paul Tamaree
Released
Date of birth:18. 01. 1863
Date of death:20. 08. 1952
Age:89† Deceased
Gender:Female
Race:Native American
Era:1920s
State:Alaska
Support
Indigenous Sovereignty
Tillie Paul

Biography

Matilda "Tillie" Paul Tamaree was a Tlingit missionary, educator, and Alaska Native-rights pioneer whose organizing helped seed the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood. On November 7, 1922 she acted as interpreter to help Charlie Jones, a Tlingit man, cast a ballot at Wrangell, Alaska, and was criminally charged in 1923 with "inducing an Indian to vote." Her son, attorney William Paul, defended the case; after Jones was acquitted, her charges were dismissed — a foundational victory for Alaska Native voting rights.

Note: Wrangell historical material notes her exact birth date is uncertain; commonly given as January 18, 1863.

Case

Charges: Indicted/charged with "inducing an Indian to vote" (aiding and abetting illegal voting)
Sentence: Verdict as recorded: Charges dismissed October 9, 1923, after Charlie Jones was found not guilty Charges as recorded: Indicted/charged with "inducing an Indian to vote" (aiding and abetting illegal voting) for helping Charlie Jones cast a ballot at Wrangell, Alaska — the landmark Alaska Native voting-rights case
Convicted: No — acquitted