Alaska Native Recognition Bill Grants Land to Five Southeast Communities: 23,040 Acres Per Urban Corporation

The Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act finally gives five Native communities—Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell—the recognition and land they were previously denied under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). This means they can now form Urban Corporations and receive both land and financial compensation. Let's break it down.

Making Things Right

The core purpose of the bill (SEC. 2) is to correct a historical oversight. These communities were left out of the original ANCSA, and this bill aims to fix that by allowing them to establish Urban Corporations. This is a big deal because it opens the door to land ownership and economic opportunities that come with it. The bill ensures that the newly formed Urban Corporations do not affect the existing land entitlements of any other Native Corporations (SEC. 3).

Land and Shareholders

Each Urban Corporation will receive approximately 23,040 acres of Federal land (SEC. 6). This is a significant amount of land, and the bill intends for the transfer to happen quickly—within two years of each corporation's formation, with a possible one-year extension (SEC. 6). Think of it like finally getting the deed to a property you should have owned decades ago. The subsurface estate (meaning mineral rights and such) goes to the Regional Corporation for Southeast Alaska (SEC. 6).

For individuals, if you were originally enrolled in one of the five Native Villages, you'll automatically become a shareholder in the corresponding Urban Corporation, getting 100 shares of stock (SEC. 4). Even if you inherited shares in the Regional Corporation from someone who should have been enrolled in one of these villages, you're covered (SEC. 4). You still keep your status as an at-large shareholder in the Regional Corporation, so it's a win-win in terms of distributions (SEC. 5).

Real-World Ripple Effects

Imagine a local business owner in Ketchikan who's also a Native Alaskan. This bill means they could become a shareholder in the new Ketchikan Urban Corporation, potentially benefiting from dividends and having a say in how the newly acquired land is managed. Or picture a family in Wrangell with deep roots in the community; they could see new economic opportunities arise from the land transfer, maybe through resource development or tourism ventures managed by their Urban Corporation.

The bill also allows each Urban Corporation to set up a settlement trust (SEC. 6). These trusts are designed to support things like healthcare, education, and cultural preservation, with a focus on helping elders and kids. This could mean scholarships, elder care programs, or funding for cultural centers—real, tangible benefits.

Access and Use of the Land

One crucial point is that the conveyed land remains open for subsistence uses (like hunting and fishing) and non-commercial recreation (SEC. 6). This means that even though the land is now owned by the Urban Corporations, people can still use it for traditional activities, within certain limits. However, if someone had a special use permit from the Forest Service for something like guiding or outfitting, that permit gets terminated. The good news is, the Urban Corporation has to issue them a new permit with the same terms, for the remainder of the original permit's term, plus a 10-year renewal (SEC. 6).

Potential Roadblocks?

While the bill aims for a smooth transition, there are always potential challenges. Disputes over land use could arise. The bill requires the Forest Service and the Urban Corporations to come to a mutual agreement on road use (SEC. 6), which will be crucial for access. Also, while the bill provides a framework, the actual management of the land and the settlement trusts will be up to the Urban Corporations. Success will depend on good governance and smart decisions by those in charge.