Alaska Native people deserve what they were promised
As leaders of Alaska Native corporations, we want to make clear why we took our fight for our people and communities to the nationâs highest court
Author:
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Regional Association (Courtesy photo)
As leaders of Alaska Native corporations, we want to make clear why we took our fight for our people and communities to the nationâs highest court
The ANCSA Regional Association Board of Directors
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Regional Association
Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of
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When Alaska fought for statehood, it was an uphill battle. The final vote in Congress in 1958 was far from unanimous. The opposition focused on the vast size of Alaska and concerns that the federal government could not possibly provide the same level of infrastructure in Alaska it does in the Lower 48.
However, Congress ultimately recognized that Alaska is a resource rich state that could live off revenues, such as royalties and taxes, from the development of these resources. This recognition resulted in the Statehood Compact, whereby 103 million acres were to be transferred to the state of Alaska, along with the mineral rights for these lands a unique endowment for a state. Alaska would share the mineral revenues with the federal government and would fund state government operations from its share of revenues and establish an independent economy. That was the deal we made with the federal government and we ve kept our side of the bargain.
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