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Washington, D.C. – Alaskan Congressman Don Young introduced the Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act this afternoon.  This bipartisan legislation will allow the Sealaska Native Corporation to receive its remaining land conveyance under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971.  Sens. Murkowski and Begich introduced the companion legislation in the Senate today also.  Rep. Young first took the lead on this legislation in the 110^th Congress.

“While Sealaska is one of the Regional Corporations with the largest number of Native shareholders, with 21 percent of all original Native shareholders, Sealaska received the smallest Regional Corporation land settlement, which was less than one percent of the total of all ANCSA lands,” said Rep. Young in an official record statement this afternoon.  “Now, nearly four decades since ANCSA’s passage, Sealaska is still without their full land entitlement.  It remains critical that Sealaska complete its remaining land entitlement under ANCSA to continue to meet the economic, social and cultural needs of its Native shareholders, and of the Native community throughout Alaska.

“The legislation presents a solution that would allow Sealaska to complete the conveyance of its land entitlement and enable the Federal Government to complete its statutory obligation to the Natives of Southeast Alaska, as promised under ANCSA.”

To view video of Rep. Young questioning Byron Mallott, Board Member of Sealaska Corporation and Chris McNeil, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sealaska Corporation on HR 3560 during Alaska Day (November 15, 2007) at the House Natural Resources Committee click here.

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