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Congressman Young Introduces Bill To Recognize Alexander Creek As A Native Village Under ANCSA


Washington, D.C., May 23 -

Alaska Congressman Don Young has introduced legislation that would amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to recognize Alexander Creek as a Native village, which would entitle them to the same benefits entrusted to other Native village corporations established pursuant to the ANCSA.


            Young’s legislation (H.R. 2445) has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee, where he serves as the Ranking Member.



Background Information


On December 18, 1971, Public Law 92-203, ANCSA was signed into law.  The purpose of ANCSA was to legislate the terms by which Alaska Natives could acquire title to their lands.  It was enacted by Congress to settle the claim of Alaska’s Indian, Aleut, and Eskimo populations to aboriginal title on the lands which they had lived for generations.


            ANCSA created 12 Regional Native Corporations, over 200 Village Native Corporations and provided a provision for non-resident Alaska Natives an option to enroll in any of the 12 Regional Native Corporations or to elect, by majority vote, to form the 13th Regional Native Corporation.


            The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was charged with establishing village rolls in order to certify a village for the purpose of receiving land and monetary benefits under ANCSA.   Alexander Creek was not recognized as a village corporation despite meeting the stringent requirements established pursuant to ANCSA. 


Alexander Creek determined they had 37 Natives properly enrolled to their village.  However, the Department of the Interior’s Alaska Native Claims Appeals Board (ANCAB) issued its decision on November 1, 1994 that there were only 22 native people enrolled to the village - three short of meeting the eligibility requirements.   Alexander Creek residents claim that not all of its enrollees were properly counted.


The Cook Inlet Region, Inc., the regional corporation for Alexander Creek, has supported their efforts to correct the recognition issue.  In addition, for the past three years, the Alaska Federation of Natives at its annual convention has supported Alexander Creek in their efforts to rectify their village corporation status by passing a resolution of support.



For more information, access the Committee on Natural Resources’ Minority website at:


http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.shtml


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