Module IX - Alaska Governance and Contemporary Issues

Essential Question: 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.

Oil platform near Prudhoe Bay
Alaska In Pictures

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act had a major impact on Alaska since its inception in 1971, and continues to impact the state today.  One of the major affects was on the economy—more specifically, oil.  When oil was discovered off the Arctic Coast at Prudhoe Bay in 1968, many people viewed this as an opportunity to make Alaska prosperous.  A pipeline needed to be constructed from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez in order to ship the oil to the lower 48.  However, this concept was not an easy one, as the intended pipeline was going to cross lands that were claimed by Native Alaskans.  If Alaska wanted to profit from this new-found resource, a resolution would need to be found for all parties involved.

The ANCSA also impacted Alaska’s environment.  While many Alaskans were excited about the discovery of oil, others were worried about the protection of the state’s resources.  “Pressure brought by the environmental movement resulted in a famous clause in the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act…which ultimately led to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980” (Explore Alaska!).  The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act designated almost 80 million acres of land in Alaska as wilderness areas and National Park Service properties.  Environmentalists wanted to ensure that not only did Alaska Natives have rightful claim to traditional properties, but that the land was protected and preserved for future Alaskans. 

When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act passed, Alaska Natives were rewarded 44 million acres of historically-used land, and nearly $963 billion.  These two forms of compensation were dispensed through thirteen native-owned regional corporations.  The nearly-80,000 Alaska Natives were encouraged to register in any of the 12 corporations; the 13^th corporation was formed for Natives living outside of Alaska (Alaska History and Cultural Studies).  To become a shareholder, one had to be one-fourth Alaska Native.  The passage of ANCSA allowed Native Alaskans to take pride in the fact that they would have the official title to lands that historically had been theirs (Alaska History and Cultural Studies). 

ANCSA protesters
Alaska Journal

 However, not all Alaska Natives felt that the ANCSA had a positive impact.  Historically, there have been many things go wrong when the American government has attempted to ‘deal’ with native populations, with many of these communities getting taken advantage of.   Many felt that the Natives did not receive the appropriate amount of land or money for what they relinquished claim to.  Others felt that while leaders prospered under the act, regular villagers did not necessarily benefit to the same extent (Alaska History and Cultural Studies).  The handling of the funds was also brought under scrutiny.  Since the corporations needed to make a profit in order for each shareholder to benefit, many business dealings took place outside of Alaska, taking the focus away from the villages.  There was also worry that funds could e completely lost.  “One of the greatest concerns was the potential loss of Native lands (owned by the corporation) if the corporation became insolvent” (Explore Alaska!).  

Examine Question: Identify the Alaska Senate and House Districts in which you live.  Identify the type of local government you have.

State Senator Fred Dyson
The Alaska State Legislature

 Eagle River is located in Senate District I.  Our state senator is Fred Dyson, who is of the Republican party.  Dyson first served in the Alaska State House of Representatives from 1997 to 2002.  In 2003, he was elected to the Alaska Senate.  He has been involved in many local councils and boards, and even wrote for the Anchorage Daily News.  Dyson graduated from the University of Washington before moving to Alaska in 1964.  He has been an Eagle River resident since 1976.

House Representative Anna Fairclough
The Alaska State Legislature

 Anna Fairclough is Eagle River’s House Representative from District 17.  She is also a member of the Republican party.  Fairclough has worked with the Alaska State House of Representatives since 2003, serving on several committees as chairwoman or vice-chairwoman.  She was officially elected to the House in 2006.  Fairclough has been an Eagle River resident since 1985, is an Anchorage School District graduate, and studied at both the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Anchorage.

Eagle River belongs to the Municipality of Anchorage.  The Municipality of Anchorage stretches from Eklutna down to Portage.  A 2000 census calculated over 260,000 residents living in the municipality, which means that it is home to almost two-fifths of Alaska’s total population (muni.org).

Eagle River does have its own Community Council, which is made up of residents and business owners in the Eagle River area. Each community’s council serves as the public relations office for that area, as well as maintains information about the community. There are 38 councils in the Municipality of Anchorage; each council elects a delegate to represent the community at monthly meetings. This is especially beneficial for Eagle River. As a ‘suburb’ of Anchorage yet part of the municipality, this small community can often get overlooked without due recognition and representation by community members.

Evaluation

I thought that this was one of the most difficult modules.  There were so many topics that were available; sometimes having too many choices makes things harder.  I did however appreciate the examine question, in which I needed to research my local government and officials.  Previously I have not been an active community member, but I would like to have a better insight into what’s going on in my town.

Blog Reviews

Heather looked at how she can apply the information found in the module to a lesson with her Biology classes (specifically, mines in Alaska).

Brad included a really neat quote with his post: “Alaska does not belong to outsiders…it belongs to no one…we are only caretakers of Haa Shageinyaa’s creation.”