Leonard Lloyd Menka

Nov 15, 1943 -

Sep 9, 2025

Leonard Lloyd Menka (Koyukon Athabascan), 81, passed away on Sept. 9, 2025, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. He was the son of Rita Josephine Monroe (Village of Koyukuk); the nephew of Ralph Perdue; and grandson of Matilda Kriska (Village of Koyukuk) and Francis Monroe (Nenana Native Village). Leonard spent some of his early years at Holy Cross Mission and in various foster homes before returning to Fairbanks and Chistochina, Alaska, to be with his mother and stepfather, John Monaghan. He graduated from Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, in 1961, from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, in 1971, and from the American Indian Law Center's Pre-Law Summer Institute in 1972.

Leonard was an artist, firefighter, Alaska Native activist and homesteader. His artistic abilities, silversmithing, intellectual curiosity, storytelling prowess and dedication to Alaska Native ways of life have had lasting impact on his children. As a young activist, he worked for the Alaska Federation of Natives and spent time with the American Indian Movement in South Dakota. His art, often marked with "Lion Hearted Lake" or "LHL," included jewelry, sculpture and masks, some of which can be found at the Anchorage Museum and the National Museum of American Indian in Washington, D.C. His proudest artistic accomplishments include making a silver, gold and diamond belt buckle which he gifted to 1979 Iditarod winner Rick Swenson, and a 250-pound Alabaster sculpture, titled Red Eternity, which will be on display at Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Leonard valued living off the land, spending the last 40-plus years living full-time on his Alaska Native allotment in Chistochina.

Leonard is loved and remembered by his children, Susan Hugha Beth Menka, Rita Eyona Menka, and Nazune Meega Menka, James Anthony Menka and Julia Ann Menka; along with many grandchildren, cousins and extended family, including John Monaghan's family in Aotearoa, Christina and Whatarangi Murphy-Peehi. Upon his passing, he joins his son, Doyon Len Menka; and life partner, Maria A. Peacock. Leonard was given a traditional burial by his family and friends and is now resting at FNA's Birch Hill Cemetery near his mother and other family members in Fairbanks.