‘Thanks a Million’ victory cruise for John Sturgeon legal fees

HEAD TO FAIRBANKS AND GO ON THE RIVERBOAT DISCOVERY II WITH A FOLK HERO

John Sturgeon battled for over a decade for Alaskans and their right to use the navigable waters of the state as their highways. He took the National Park Service to court and fought all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court — not once, but twice — to make the case that “Alaska is different.”

His case, Sturgeon v. Frost (National Park Service) is now legend after he won 9-0 this year on his second appearance before the nation’s highest court.

But the legal fees were $1.2 million.

Sturgeon, a hunter who had used his hovercraft to access the Nation River in the Yukon Charley National Wildlife Preserve, is a folk hero, and his friend Craig Compeau of Fairbanks is putting together a fundraiser to help him with the legal fees.

[Read: Breaking: Sturgeon wins 9-0 at Supreme Court]

Called “Thanks a Million,” the event will be held on the Riverboat Discovery II in Fairbanks on Aug. 6. Tickets, which are $50, can be found at this EventBrite site. There will be a short auction with great outdoors toys to bid on.

Meet the man who spent 12 years and $1.2 million fighting for the rights of Alaskans.

Also meet Robert Barnes, a reporter for the Washington Post since 1987, who will be on hand to cover the story of John Sturgeon and the Alaskans who have assisted with his historic court case.

Must Read Alaska’s editor Suzanne Downing will be there as well, and will be happy to hear your point of view on issues of the day.

There’s limited space available on Riverboat Discovery II. Dress is casual. Dinner will be prime rib sandwiches, side dishes, and a cash bar.

Before the event, a private cocktail party for donors who bring a $2,000 check with them will take place at a private home along the Chena River. Contact [email protected] to reserve your spot in this small-group event with Sturgeon and some of his loyal supporters.

Compeau set the fundraising goal at $60,000 net, he told Must Read Alaska.