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The bills that were the subject of the hearing by the Natural Resources Committee were:

• H.R. 3560 - “The Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act” - to provide for the completion of certain land selections under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and for other purposes.

• H.R. 3350 - “Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act” - to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide for equitable allotment of lands to Alaska Native veterans.

• H.R. 3351 - “Native American Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2007” - to adapt the lessons of foreign aid to underdeveloped economies to the provision of Federal economic development assistance to similarly situated remote Native American communities, and for other purposes.

• H.R. 2445 - To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to recognize Alexander Creek as a Native village, and for other purposes.

Julie Kitka, the President of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), the largest statewide organization advocating for Alaska’s Native people, testified that the AFN supported all four of Young’s bills.

“All of these bills have a significant impact on the Alaskans affected by this diverse collection of

legislation,” said Young, the Ranking Member of the Committee.  “This hearing is designed to provide an important opportunity for Alaskans to outline the importance of the bills to Members of our Committee.”

“The Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act” (H.R. 3560)

H.R. 3560 is bipartisan legislation introduced by Young that will allow the Sealaska Native Corporation to receive its remaining land conveyance under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 – after more than 35 years since the Act was signed into law.

 “This legislation will redress the inequitable treatment of the Native Regional Corporation for Southeast Alaska – Sealaska Corporation - by allowing it to select its remaining land entitlement under Section 14 of ANCSA from designated federal land in Southeast Alaska,” Young said.

“It’s unfortunate that after more than 35 years since the passage of ANSCA, Sealaska has still not received conveyance of its full land entitlement.  As a result of its small land entitlement, it is critical that Sealaska complete its remaining land entitlement under ANCSA in order to continue to meet the economic, social and cultural needs of its Native shareholders, and of the Native community throughout Alaska.”

Byron Mallott, a Board Member of Sealaska Corporation, testified in strong support of Young’s bill.

“There is a compelling basis for this legislation to pass,” Mallott told the Committee.  “First, the original ANCSA withdrawals demonstrated a lack of understanding of the geography of the region, and a series of congressional actions further undermined the quality of the lands that were available for selection by Sealaska.  For example, over 44 percent of the area within the withdrawal areas is water.

“Second, there is no dispute that Sealaska has a remaining land entitlement,” Mallott said.  “This legislation does not give Sealaska additional land beyond that already promised by Congress.

“Third and finally, Sealaska has attempted to work closely with industrial users, environmental organizations, Native institutions, and local communities to craft legislation that provides the best result for the people, communities and environment of Southeastern Alaska.  One thing has become extremely clear in this effort – that every acre of Southeast Alaska is precious to someone.

“Moreover, what is important to one group is not important to another.  Simply put, with the vast array of interests, there is no way to achieve a complete consensus on where and how Sealaska should select its remaining entitlement.  We believe that this legislation offers a good solution, but we remain committed to work with everyone to refine the selections,” Mallott said.  

“The Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act” (H.R. 3350)

As introduced by Young, H.R. 3350 would amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide equitable treatment of Alaska Native Vietnam veterans in their acquisition of land under the Native Allotment Act.

Some 2,800 Alaska Natives served in the military during the Vietnam conflict and therefore did not have an opportunity to apply for their Native allotment.  In 1998, P.L. 105-276 amended ANCSA to provide Alaska Native Vietnam veterans an opportunity to obtain an allotment of up to 160 acres of land under the Native Allotment Act.

However, this law contains three major obstacles that prevent Alaska Native Vietnam veterans from selecting and obtaining their Native allotment.

Nelson Angapak , an Alaskan Native who served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 in Vietnam, told the committee that the current laws was unfairly keeping eligible Alaska Native veterans from obtaining their land under the Native Allotment Act of 1906, which was repealed when ANCSA was enacted in 1971.

“Many disillusioned Alaska Native veterans who served in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from January 1, 1969 to December 18, 1971, who applied for allotments were rejected because they did not meet the strict criteria of existing law,” Angapak testified.  “I think they must still have faith in Congress because they eagerly await the passage of H.R. 3350.

“However, they do ask me - what were the intentions of Congress when they passed this law that gives us nothing but empty promises.  I’ve told them that I feel the intentions of Congress were honorable in 1998 and I still feel that way; but how do I answer all those Alaska Native veterans of the ‘Nam conflict who wonder why they were left out?” Angapak said.

“The Native American Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2007” (H.R. 3351)

Young’s bill will adapt the lessons of U.S. foreign aid to underdeveloped economies to the provision of Federal economic development assistance to similarly situation remote Native Americans.

The  bill authorizes a “Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Project” where the Association of Village Council Presidents, the Bristol Bay Native Association, and the Alaska Federation of Natives, are named jointly with, in the State of Hawaii, a consortia of local Native Hawaiian community organizations to be determined by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and up to three native tribal organizations in the lower 48 to be determined by the Secretary of the Interior.  The bill authorizes up to $20 million per year for the years 2008-2012 with appropriate reports with progress on eliminating poverty and promoting economic development in the previously listed Native entities.

“Native economies face a number of hurdles including geographic remoteness, distance from markets and population centers, and lack of or poor physical infrastructure,” Young said.  “After decades of failing to successfully address these major problems to revitalize Native economies, I believe the time is right to use what we know is working to reduce poverty, increase incomes, and encourage transparent governments in the developing world.”

Julie Kitka, the President of the Alaska Federation of Natives, said Young’s bill is based on proven programs already used in foreign nations and would be beneficial to Alaska’s Native people.

“This model deserves to be tested among our Native American populations with high poverty rates,” Kitka told the Committee.  “We don’t need to invent or reinvent the wheel.  We need the Congress to pass H.R. 3351 and provide the resources for our people to bring about the benefits of this program to more people.

“It can be replicated within the United States with predictable positive results and we will discover how to do it with your help.  We can also add to the collective knowledge about strengthening Native communities within the U.S. during periods of rapid change and uncertainty,” Kitka said.

Emil Notti, the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce for the State of Alaska, submitted a letter stating the Palin Administration’s strong support for Young’s bill.

“As commissioner, it is my responsibility to promote appropriate economic development in the State of Alaska,” Notti stated in his letter to the Committee.  “It is particularly important for the State of Alaska to support Congressional efforts to assist individuals and communities that are experiencing high unemployment and chronic underdeveloped economies.

“Therefore, I am expressing the state’s support for H.R. 3351 . . . The proposed legislation seeks to invigorate rural economies through the principles proven by self determination.

“Long-term job creation and the resulting improvements in rural economies that are attempting to cope with escalating costs of living and lack of opportunities are objectives of this administration.  The difficulty of improving rural economies in Native communities is well understood.  The solutions are less understood and the approach represented in this demonstration initiative is supported and encouraged by Governor Sarah Palin and myself,” Notti’s letter stated.

H.R. 2445, Recognizing Alexander Creek As A Native Village Under ANCSA

Young’s legislation would authorize Alexander Creek to achieve the status of “village corporation” under ANCSA.  Alexander Creek warrants such recognition under ANCSA but was denied recognition due to an administrative and legal technicality.

Under the legislation, Alexander Creek will be entitled to acquire settlement lands through a system of land exchanges involving the Department of the Interior, the State of Alaska and the Mat-Su Borough.

“This bill corrects a long-standing injustice for the Natives of Alexander Creek,” Young said.

Stephanie S. Thompson, the President of Alexander Creek, urged the Committee to pass Young’s bill to correct their longstanding problem under ANCSA.

“Congressman Young has listened to our concerns and is seeking to correct a wrong - a wrong which Congress can correct,” Thompson told the Committee.  “The federal courts have heard our concern, and have stated that this wrong should be corrected.

“The most significant aspect of the legislation is that it correctly recognizes Alexander Creek as what it has been for hundreds of years - an Alaska Native Village.  The bill would recognize Alexander Creek as a village, not a group corporation, and provide a means for the village to receive the value it is due under ANCSA as a recognized village.  These are our most important goals,” Thompson said.

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

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

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