Week Nine Module

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 1971 - Discuss two ways that this legislation has impacted Alaska, and two specific ways that it has impacted Alaska Natives.

Native leaders were happy that Alaska Natives would have official title to the land that they had always thought of as theirs.  State leaders were able to head towards economic development and the state land selection process.  Even non-Alaskans were please that the Alaska Native people were awarded some justice that they deserved.

In 1959 when Alaska became a state most of the land was claimed by the federal government.  There were many legal documents that talked about the rights that the Alaska Natives had to the land.  The main idea throughout these documents was that Alaska Natives own their own land, but that it is up to future generations to decide how they would get title to it.  In addition to this question the population of non-Native people was increasing in Alaska, oil was discovered on the North Slope, and there were increased as well as the increased demands for oil in the lower 48
Then, because of a growing non-Native population in Alaska, the discovery of a vast oil field on the North Slope, and increasing demands for that oil in the lower 48, the question of "who owns Alaska" became a national issue in 1971.

Alaska Natives gained title to 43.7 million acres of land in Alaska. In the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971.  The 75,000 Natives in Alaska were able to enroll in one of 12 regional corporations.  An additional corporation was added to make thirteen so that Natives not living in Alaska could enroll.  These 13 regional corporations consumed more than ½ of the acreage. Villagers could choose to form as many corporations that they wanted to.  They had access to less than ½ of the land. 

AK Native Regional Corporations - in color
www.dec.alaska.gov

The U.S. government paid $962.5 million to compensate the Natives so they would not claim any tittle to remaining land in the state.  In the beginning an eligible Native could enroll to receive shares.  They were allowed 100 shares in a village corporation and allowed 100 shares in a regional corporation.  The village and regional corporations were usually chosen based on where they were living.  Later with the 13th corporation was added Natives that did not live in Alaska could enroll.  They were not eligible for land but could receive the money settlement.  These shares are not for sale.  

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971 impacted Alaska in many different ways.  The act strengthened the economy.  With the discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay money was not only coming in because of the oil itself but also because of the number of people that were now employed working in various positions surrounding oil.  Some of the Native corporations have become very successful businesses. In 2004 Native corporation assets totaled $2.9 billion.  Their combined total payroll was $408 million from the employment of 12,123 people. In 2002 the corporations distributed $45.6 million in dividends to shareholders.  The profits for that year were $124 million.  Different corporations continue to find financial success while others don’t.
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 1971

The act brought many changes to Alaska as a state and to Alaska Natives.  It is very complex.  Having a plan for Natives to continue to own their land is very important even if their corporations are not finding the economic success as others.  One thing that I have discovered is the land that Natives call their home isn’t just home because of the financial value.  It is home because it is a way of life, it is what they know.   The resources that Natives use the land for go so much farther than the bank.

Identify the Alaska Native regional corporation in the area of Alaska where you live. Examine its website and describe its mission and its current business ventures.

The regional corporation that I live in is the Cook Inlet Corporation (CIRI).  The many business operations in this corporation are: energy and resource development, heavy construction services, environmental remediation services, real estate, tourism, telecommunications, minority business enterprise and government contracting, and private equity and venture capital investments.

There is a bunch going on with energy and resource development.  One project that began in October 2011 focused on wind energy.  Alaska’s largest wind energy project started and continues three miles outside of Anchorage on Fire Island.  Fire Island Wind LLC, installed 11 turbines that can produce up to 17.6 megawatts of power and supply more than 51,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually to meet the needs of more than 6,000 Southcentral Alaska households. The photo to the left shows ore sample drilling on Fire Island to analyze foundations for wind turbines.

Construction is another big business venture for CIRI.  CIRI and Nabors Industries Inc. each own 50% of Alaska Interstate Construction LLC.  One of numerous projects that they completed in 2010 was road construction and rehabilitation of a new 903-foot-long bridge across the Tanana River on the Alaska Highway.

Many of us in this region have enjoyed eating at the Olive Garden, which opened January 23^rd of this year in Tikahtnu Commons right outside of Anchorage.  This is one example of real estate business ventures in the area.  CIRI has significant commercial and residential real estate development, in not only Alaska but Arizona, Texas, California and Hawaii.

Photo of Olive Garden in Tikahtnu Commons 

CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. (CATC) is the largest shore-based tour operator in Southcentral Alaska.  They offer many trips.  For example the Alaska Heritage Tours, marine day-cruise company Kenai Fjords Tours, visits to the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, visits to the Seward Windsong Lodge near Kenai Fjords National Park, and visits to the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island in Resurrection Bay.  Doing this research I have found a few places I would like to visit this summer!!

This company is owned by more than 7,300 Alaska Native shareholders of Athabascan and Southeast Indian, Inupiat, Yupik, Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) and Aleut (Unangax) descent. It is based in Anchorage and has interests across Alaska, the lower 49 and abroad.

Evaluation:

This has for sure has been the module with the most information, we were warned.   I found myself doing extra exploring and asking for more clarification to make sure I was taking away the correct information.  Thanks Brenda for all your help!  I spend a lot of time researching the Native Corporations.  When looking at the Cook Inlet corporation it was interesting to know how everything is linked together.  

Response to Colleagues:

Peter's Alaska Blog: I have lived in Wasilla for the past two years.  I really enjoy learning more about where I live!!  It was interesting to learn more about the political components of the area.

Educational Exploration in AK: I agree with you that there was so much information in this module with many different choices.  You did a nice job with the layout of your blog and your responses!

Heather's Alaskan Exploration: I really liked your idea to incorporate some of the current issues into your classroom.  I enjoy new lesson ideas and projects.  Thanks!