ancsaregional

ANCSA: Why it Matters Training

July 11, 2025 By ancsaregional

Join the ANCSA Regional Association for the second annual ANCSA: Why it Matters training! This is a free 1-day training to familiarize state and federal agencies, trade associations, business leaders, and nonprofit organizations with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

*We are currently at capacity for the ANCSA: Why it Matters training. If you are interested in attending, please join our waitlist and we will contact you if space becomes available.*

ARA is pleased to announce that we’ve been approved by the Alaska Bar Association to offer 4.5 CLE credits for this training!

Thursday, September 25, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Anchorage Marriott Downtown (820 W. 7th Avenue)

Training Resources:

With gratitude to our generous sponsor, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

ANCSA Regional Association Welcomes Nicole Borromeo as its New President

June 23, 2025 By ancsaregional

The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) Board of Directors is excited to announce the selection of Nicole Borromeo as President of ARA. Borromeo brings a wealth of experience working on behalf of Alaska Native people across a range of influential policy and service-based organizations, law firms, and state government.

“It is a tremendous honor and privilege to help lead ARA and play a role in continuing to further ARA’s important mission to support and strengthen our 12 Alaska Native regional corporation members for the benefit of more than 160,000 Alaska Native shareholders,” Borromeo said. “There is a lot to learn, but I will be working with a lot of familiar faces and I look forward to building on ARA’s accomplishments.”

A Doyon, Ltd. Shareholder, Borromeo holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska-Anchorage and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Washington School of Law. She is the recipient of the Judge Nora Guinn Award from the Alaska Bar Association, the Young Native Leader Award from First Alaskans Institute, and the Top 40 Under 40 Award from the Alaska Journal of Commerce. Borromeo is also a graduate of Mt. Edgecumbe High School.

“Nicole is a strong, smart leader with a proven track record of advancing and accomplishing the priorities of Native people across our state,” ARA Chair and Koniag President Shauna Hegna said. “She possesses a deep understanding of the issues facing ANCs and our people and just as importantly, knows how to address them. We are lucky to have her.”

Borromeo succeeds Kim Reitmeier, who served as ARA President for 14 years and helped guide ARA and its regional corporation members through a period of historic growth, which enabled ANCs to further their collective mission to support the social, cultural and economic well-being of their Alaska Native shareholders.

Borromeo will assume her new role June 2, 2025.

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About ANCSA Regional Association (ARA): ARA represents the presidents and chief executive officers of the twelve land-based Alaska Native regional corporations that were created pursuant to the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. ARA’s member corporations are owned by more than 150,000 Alaska Native shareholders. Its purpose is to promote and foster the continued growth and economic strength of Alaska Native corporations on behalf of Alaska Native shareholders, descendants, and communities. Together, ANCSA corporations employ tens of thousands in Alaska and across the world, providing critical support for national industries as well as communities throughout Alaska. Learn more at ancsaregional.com.

Celebrating Alaska Native Cultures Reception

January 15, 2025 By ancsaregional

Join us at RES 2025 for this year’s Celebrating Alaska Native Cultures Reception!

The ANCSA Regional Association, the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association share Alaska’s unique model of self-determination with our Lower 48 relatives, building stronger relationships, and gathering together.

Tuesday, March 11 | 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Caesars Palace Roman Ballroom III

Please RSVP here by March 4, 2025.

Special thank you to our sponsoring organizations: Schwabe, Alaska Airlines, and BDO.

ANCSA Regional Association Opposes Ballot Measure 2

September 26, 2024 By ancsaregional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2024

ANCSA Regional Association Opposes Ballot Measure 2

Anchorage, AK – The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) Board of Directors has voted to oppose Ballot Measure 2 in the upcoming general election this November. If passed, Ballot Measure 2 would repeal the ranked choice voting (RCV) system passed by Alaska voters in 2020.

“Ranked choice voting, at its core, has made Alaska less partisan. The vast majority of voters in our state are independent, non-partisans, and this includes Alaska Native people. RCV honors the independent spirit of our state and allows us to elect leaders focused on solutions, not partisan divisions,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier.

ARA Board Chair Shauna Hegna added, “Ballot Measure 2 is a step backwards. Voters instituted the ranked choice voting system in 2020 and we’ve already seen the benefits of that system in the types of candidates running and winning in Alaska. Our state wins when politicians can stand up for what they believe in without fear of retribution by partisans on the edges of the political spectrum. And Alaska Native people win when they can focus on supporting the candidates who most support their own values and not what the national political parties dictate.”

ARA supports retaining the ranked choice voting system passed by voters in 2020 because the system has changed our politics for the better and has given space for more Alaska Native voices to take a seat at the table.

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ANCSA Regional Association Endorses Mary Peltola for U.S. House of Representatives

September 26, 2024 By ancsaregional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2024

ANCSA Regional Association Endorses Mary Peltola for U.S. House of Representatives

Anchorage, AK – The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) Board of Directors has endorsed Rep. Mary Peltola in the upcoming 2024 election for Alaska’s sole U.S. House of Representatives seat.

“Representative Peltola understands the challenges and opportunities that Alaska Native communities face,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “Her focus on protecting subsistence rights, advancing economic growth, and fostering stronger relationships between Alaska Native corporations and the federal government makes her the best choice for Alaska.”

Effective collaboration and coordination with elected officials are critically important to advancing the interests of Alaska Native people. Alaska Native corporations especially rely on our Congressional delegation in Washington, where Alaska Native people and Alaska’s unique model of self-determination are often misunderstood.

ARA Board Chair Shauna Hegna added, “Representative Peltola has consistently shown a deep commitment to the priorities and needs of Alaska Native people during her time in office. Her leadership in addressing issues crucial to our people and communities is invaluable. We believe she will continue to be a strong voice for Alaska Native people and all of Alaska in Congress.”

ARA previously endorsed Rep. Peltola for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022.

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ARA Board of Directors Elects New Officers

December 12, 2023 By ancsaregional

ARA Board of Directors Elects New Officers

Recognizes 25 years in service to Alaska Native shareholders

The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce it recently elected a new slate of Board Officers. These Alaska Native leaders will advance ARA’s work on behalf of the more than 160,000 Alaska Native shareholders represented by our 12 regional corporations.

“While celebrating our 25^th anniversary in 2023, it is important to take stock of where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re headed,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “The commitment of previous board members inspires those who have these seats today. I know the existing board and officers are excited for the new challenges ahead and to continue the legacy of advocating for Alaska Native people and our state.”

Shauna Hegna, ARA Chair — Shauna Hegna serves as president of Koniag. Prior to joining Koniag in 2016, she was the chief administrative officer for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the vice president of Shareholder Services for Afognak Native Corporation.

Shauna holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Alaska and a graduate certificate from Alaska Pacific University.

Shauna is a shareholder of Koniag and Afognak Native Corporation and a tribal citizen of the Native Village of Port Lions. She previously served as ARA Vice Chair.

Aaron Schutt, ARA Vice Chair — As president and CEO of Doyon, Limited, Aaron M. Schutt is responsible for managing the day-to-day business operations of the Doyon Family of Companies. Aaron has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Washington State University, graduating with honors and as an S. Town Stephenson scholar. He earned a Master of Science in civil engineering from Stanford University and his juris doctorate from Stanford Law School.

Aaron is a Koyukon Athabascan and an enrolled tribal member of the Native Village of Tanana. Aaron is a past ARA Board Chair returning to the executive committee.

Skoey Vergen, ARA Treasurer — Skoey Vergen serves as the president & CEO of The Aleut Corporation (TAC). In this role, he oversees day-to-day business operations and manages long-term growth strategies for the Aleut family of companies. Skoey is also responsible for ensuring that the Aleut enterprise as a whole is fulfilling TAC’s mission of maximizing dividends and opportunities for shareholders.

Skoey is an original Aleut shareholder, a shareholder of the Akutan and Shumagin village corporations, and a member of the Qagan Tayagungin Tribe of Sand Point.

Andrew Guy, ARA Secretary — Andrew Guy has served as president and CEO of Calista Corporation since 2010. He was promoted to this position 26 years after joining Calista as an intern. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a juris doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law.

He is a shareholder of Calista Corporation and Napaskiak, Inc. and a tribal member of the Native Village of Napaskiak. Andrew was born and raised in Napaskiak where his extended family continues to live. He grew up speaking Yup’ik as his first language and English as his second.

Recognizing dedicated service

The ARA board and staff congratulate outgoing ARA Board Chair and CIRI President and CEO Sophie Minich on her December retirement from CIRI. Sophie served with distinction through an incredible 30-year career with her corporation. A shareholder of CIRI, Doyon, and the Gwitchyaa Zhee Corporation, Sophie joined CIRI in 1993 and has served in numerous leadership roles. Under her leadership, CIRI championed efforts to preserve and revitalize Alaska Native culture while supporting and growing benefits for current and future generations of CIRI shareholders.

We also want to thank outgoing ARA Treasurer and Sealaska President and CEO Anthony Mallott, who is departing Sealaska December 31, for his service to the ARA Board of Directors. We know he will continue his untiring work advocating for Alaska Native people. In nearly 10 years as president and CEO, Anthony led a transformation at Sealaska that has led to the corporation’s growth and meaningful investments in the future of the region.

“I am incredibly grateful to call Sophie and Anthony colleagues and friends for so many years. They share a commitment to Alaska Native people, our communities and Alaska. They will be deeply missed,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “I wish Sophie and Anthony nothing but the best and I can’t wait to follow each of their new adventures.”

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About the ANCSA Regional Association (ARA): ARA represents the presidents and chief executive officers of the twelve land-based Alaska Native regional corporations that were created pursuant to the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. ARA’s member corporations are owned by more than 160,000 Alaska Native shareholders. Its purpose is to promote and foster the continued growth and economic strength of Alaska Native corporations on behalf of Alaska Native shareholders, descendants, and communities.

ANCSA REGIONAL ASSOCIATION