November 18, 2016
Contact: Tim Woolston (907) 317-9454
[email protected]
Alaska’s Newest Hollywood Star Comes Home as a Special Guest of the 5th Annual Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala
First Alaskans Institute is proud to announce Martin Sensmeier (Tlingit/Koyukon Athabascan) as VIP Reception emcee and special guest at the 5th Annual Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala.
The Smokehouse Gala pays tribute to two men who exemplify commitment to Alaska and the First Peoples of this land. The legacies of Howard Rock (Inupiaq) and Senator Ted Stevens provide us a pathway for understanding the critical importance of indigenous ways of life, our connections to the land and the role of friendship in helping steward our Native peoples and Alaska into the next 10,000 years.
The Gala will take place Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Hotel Captain Cook. This year’s theme is ‘Storytelling,’ which parallels Martin’s personal story that traces his journey from rural Alaska to the silver screen.
While he’s in Anchorage, Martin will visit with youth who are staying at Covenant House Alaska to share his personal journey and offer words of encouragement.
Born in Anchorage and raised in Yakutat, Martin moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to pursue his acting dream. At the time, he was a welder for Doyon Drilling and his two-week on two-week off schedule allowed him to live in California and attend acting classes. In 2011, Martin began pursuing acting full time. His perseverance paid off, landing him a leading role in the remake of The Magnificent Seven, directed by Antoine Fuqua. In it, he stars as Red Harvest, a lone Native American who joins a motley crew of outlaws, has-beens and do-gooders played by Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and Vincent D’onofrio, among others. He also appeared in HBO’s mini-series ‘West World’ and is currently working on several new projects. Martin is an ambassador for the Native Wellness Institute and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He tirelessly advocates for wellness among youth and Native youth of all Nations.
For more information on how to attend the 2016 Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala: www.thehowardrockandtedstevenssmokehousegala.org
# # #
