[2][3] John spent most of her life in the northern Wrangell Mountains, with her family traveling seasonally between Tanada Lake and the Batzulnetas village.

[8] In 1985 John took up a case against the Alaska State Board of Fisheries, as an activist for subsistence for her native peoples.

[11] John played a large role in this fight, as she met with Governor Tony Knowles at her fish camp in Baltzulneta, aiming to persuade the state to favor her cause.

[12] John received an honorary doctorate of laws degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2011.

[6][13] Alaska Senate Bill 78 was signed into law in 2019, establishing May 31 as Katie John Day[4] to commemorate her work in fishing rights for the well-being of Native peoples.