Eileen Panigeo MacLean (June 12, 1949 – April 24, 1996) was an Iñupiaq American politician and educator. She served as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1989 to 1996.

Eileen MacLean
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
In office
1989 – January 12, 1996
Personal details
Born
Eileen Panigeo

(1949-06-12)June 12, 1949
Utqiaġvik, Alaska Territory
DiedApril 24, 1996(1996-04-24) (aged 46)
Utqiaġvik, Alaska
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenTara Sweeney
EducationUniversity of Alaska,
Fairbanks
(BA)
University of Copenhagen (MEd)

Early life and education

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MacLean was born in Utqiaġvik, Alaska Territory, and was Iñupiaq. She graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School, in Sitka, Alaska, in 1968.

MacLean received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1975 and her master's degree in education from University of Copenhagen in 1983.

Career

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MacLean worked as a junior high school teacher and was involved in the real estate business. MacLean served on the North Slope Borough Assembly and on the North Slope School Board. She was a Democrat.

MacLean was elected to and served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1989 until her resignation on January 12, 1996, due to health problems. Before that she was on the executive board of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. MacLean was also an executive director of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission.[1]

Personal life

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She had a daughter is Tara Sweeney, an activist and businesswoman.[2] MacLean died at her home in Utqiaġvik after a long illness.[3][4][5]

Notes

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  1. ^ Stern, Pamela (2009). The A to Z of the Inuit. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. pp. 100, 101. ISBN 978-0-8108-6822-9.
  2. ^ Nomination of Tara MacLean Sweeney
  3. ^ Alaska State Legislature-Eileen MacLean
  4. ^ University of Alaska-UA Journey-Eileen Panigeo MacLean
  5. ^ 'Eileen MacLean, Former Legislator, Dies at 46,' Daily Sitka Sentinel (Sitka Alaska), April 25, 1996, pg. 3