ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) â A bill moving through the Legislature would require state recognition of Alaskaâs 229 federally recognized tribes.
Supporters say the measure is needed to encourage better collaboration and consultation between the state and tribes; formally acknowledge Alaska tribesâ sovereignty, history, culture and contributions; and potentially allow them to access additional resources, Indian Country Today reported.
âBy supporting this bill, you are uplifting these unique and resilient people that have been here for 10,000 years,â Brooke Woods, of the Athabascan community of Rampart, told the House State Affairs Committee earlier this month.
Alaska has 40 percent of the countryâs 574 federally recognized tribes.
Are Alaska wildlife better protected than people?
âWhen something horrible happens to our people, we donât have law enforcementâ
Author:
Joaqlin Estus
In Southeast Alaska, Tlingit villagers say it seems like the state places more value on the life of a moose than the safety of human beings.
In early April the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida held a forum on House Bill 123, which would provide state recognition to federally recognized tribes. The subject of public safety response times compared to wildlife protection came up.
“In our villages, we often don t have law enforcement, right? When something happens to our people, [when] something horrible happens, we don t have the law enforcement that other communities have,” said First Alaskans Institute CEO and President La Quen Náay Liz Medicine Crow, who is Haida and Tlingit.
Alaska lawmakers weigh bill requiring state recognition of tribes
Print article A bill moving through the Legislature would require state recognition of Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes. Supporters say the measure is needed to encourage better collaboration and consultation between the state and tribes; formally acknowledge Alaska tribes’ sovereignty, history, culture and contributions; and potentially allow them to access additional resources, Indian Country Today reported. “By supporting this bill, you are uplifting these unique and resilient people that have been here for 10,000 years,” Brooke Woods, of the Athabascan community of Rampart, told the House State Affairs Committee earlier this month.
ANCHORAGE (AP) â A bill moving through the Legislature would require state recognition of Alaska s 229 federally recognized tribes.
Supporters say the measure is needed to encourage better collaboration and consultation between the state and tribes; formally acknowledge Alaska tribes sovereignty, history, culture and contributions; and potentially allow them to access additional resources, Indian Country Today reported. By supporting this bill, you are uplifting these unique and resilient people that have been here for 10,000 years, Brooke Woods, of the Athabascan community of Rampart, told the House State Affairs Committee earlier this month.
Alaska has 40 percent of the country s 574 federally recognized tribes.
As of 2016, 63 tribes had state recognition in 11 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Having both federal and state recognition can foster government-to-government relationships and in some cases qualify tribes for federal and
Bill requiring tribes’ recognition passes through committees
by The Associated Press
Last Updated Apr 28, 2021 at 6:28 pm EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska A bill moving through the Legislature would require state recognition of Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes.
Supporters say the measure is needed to encourage better collaboration and consultation between the state and tribes; formally acknowledge Alaska tribes’ sovereignty, history, culture and contributions; and potentially allow them to access additional resources, Indian Country Today reported.
“By supporting this bill, you are uplifting these unique and resilient people that have been here for 10,000 years,” Brooke Woods, of the Athabascan community of Rampart, told the House State Affairs Committee earlier this month.