ancsaregional

ANCSA Regional Association Endorses Tara Katuk Sweeney for U.S. Congress

April 11, 2022 By ancsaregional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2022

ANCSA Regional Association Endorses Tara Katuk Sweeney for U.S. Congress

Anchorage, AK–The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) has endorsed Tara Katuk Sweeney in the race for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. Congress. The ARA Board of Directors’ decision recognizes the historic opportunity before Alaskans to elect the state’s first Alaska Native and female congressperson.

“It is rare for ARA to support a political candidate, but a candidate as experienced and qualified as Tara Katuk Sweeney is also rare,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “As our nation’s first Alaska Native Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Tara fought tirelessly from our nation’s capital in Washington D.C. to help create jobs and economic opportunity for all Alaskans, including those in rural communities.”

Born and raised in Alaska, Tara has a unique understanding of our state’s issues. She has a proven ability to listen, learn and bring people together to solve problems, successfully advocating for responsible resource development, infrastructure projects, and equitable access to broadband, housing, and transportation.

“Tara has made a tremendous positive impact on Alaska both in the public and private sectors,” said ARA Vice-Chair and Bering Straits Native Corporation President and CEO Gail R. Schubert. “Her public service at the international level as Chair of the multi-national Arctic Economic Council, at the national level as Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior, and at the state level as Co-Chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives and as Special Assistant for Rural Affairs and Education during the Murkowski administration have well-prepared her to represent all of Alaska as our only member in the House of Representatives.”

In addition to her work locally and internationally, she also served as the late Congressman Don Young’s campaign co-chair. The special election to fill the remainder of Young’s term begins with a by-mail open primary June 11. The top four vote getters will advance to a special ranked-choice general election on August 16.

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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 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 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.

ARA Statement on Superior Court Decision supporting Power Cost Equalization Funding

August 12, 2021 By ancsaregional

ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) supports the Power Cost Equalization Fund program (PCE) and the vital benefits it provides Alaska’s rural communities and residents. We are pleased to hear of the Superior Court’s ruling yesterday that protects the fund’s future. As we continue to navigate the pandemic and its impacts on our people and our economies, PCE is an important piece of the puzzle to ensuring fairness for our rural residents.

ARA appreciates the Alaska Federation of Natives’ advocacy on this crucial issue for our people and rural Alaska as a whole.

ARA and ANVCA Welcome Supreme Court’s Landmark Decision Recognizing Role of Alaska Native Corporations

June 25, 2021 By ancsaregional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2021

ARA and ANVCA Welcome Supreme Court’s Landmark Decision Recognizing Role of Alaska Native Corporations

ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) and Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) issued the following statement, reacting to the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision holding Alaska Native regional and village corporations should be recognized under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act’s (ISDA) definition of tribes in Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation:

ANCSA Regional Association and Alaska Native Village Corporation Association applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to ensure the federal government honors its promises to Alaska Natives and the communities we represent. In doing so, the Court affirmed “what the Federal Government has maintained for almost half a century: ANCs are Indian tribes under ISDA.”

Through the creation of Alaska Native regional and village corporations, Congress established a novel approach to federal Indian policy and for nearly 50 years, these unique corporations have served the health, educational, welfare and cultural needs of more than 140,000 Alaska Native shareholders.

We are pleased to see the Court affirm Alaska Native corporations’ eligibility for CARES Act funds to help our people and communities recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19. Alaska’s economy is only now starting to recover, and these funds are needed to help our communities get back on their feet.

ARA and ANVCA would like to extend their deepest thanks to Alaska’s congressional delegation, the State of Alaska, and the Alaska Federation of Natives for their unwavering support of Alaska Native people throughout this litigation.

ARA and ANVCA are committed to building greater understanding about the critical roles ANCs play in the lives of Alaska Native people, and we stand ready to unite with Indian Country to better serve all of our Indigenous communities.

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For background on ANCs and the CARES Act, please go to https://ancsaregional.com/cares-act/.

ARA and ANVCA Fight for Alaska Native People at the Nation’s Highest Court

April 19, 2021 By ancsaregional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2021

ARA and ANVCA Fight for Alaska Native People at the Nation’s Highest Court

The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) issued this statement following oral arguments at the Supreme Court of the United States regarding the Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation case:

Today, the ANCSA Regional Association and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association were proud to appear before the Supreme Court to make our case for the federal government to keep its promise to Alaska Native people.

Our position is simple and clear. Language in the CARES Act should be executed to include Alaska Native corporations (ANCs), which serve Alaska Native people, including tens of thousands who are not members of a federally recognized tribe. Doing so would be consistent with the actions of many federal programs from federal agencies in previous administrations – from both political parties – and as Congress intended when Alaska’s unique service model of distinct Alaska Native organizations was established through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

For decades now, Alaska Native people have relied on ANCs to provide access to education, health, housing, and economic support. This misguided case puts these critical services at risk. If ANCs are no longer eligible to provide these services, there is no other organization or entity that can fill this need.

We hold strong our belief that Alaska Native people should not be punished for this unique system that Congress established for us 50 years ago. We thank the Supreme Court for taking up this case and we look forward to receiving the Court’s decision.

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For background on ANCs and the CARES Act, please go to https://ancsaregional.com/cares-act/.

ARA and ANVCA Congratulate Secretary Haaland on her Groundbreaking Confirmation

March 15, 2021 By ancsaregional

March 15, 2021

ARA and ANVCA Congratulate Secretary Haaland on her Groundbreaking Confirmation

The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) issued the below statement following the confirmation of Representative Debra Haaland to serve as Secretary for the Department of Interior:

“This is a momentous day for Indigenous peoples. We congratulate Representative Haaland on her groundbreaking confirmation to lead the Department of Interior.

While we share differing views on key matters impacting Alaskan Natives, it was encouraging to see the Secretary recognize the nuances of Alaska’s tribal organizations and the important services Alaska Native corporations provide.

ARA and ANVCA look forward to holding Secretary Haaland to these important acknowledgements as we get to rebuilding Alaskan Native communities devastated by the human and economic cost of COVID-19. There is much work to be done.”

ARA and ANVCA Congratulate Biden, Sullivan, Young

November 11, 2020 By ancsaregional

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2020

ARA and ANVCA Congratulate Biden, Sullivan, Young

The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) issued the below statement on the 2020 federal elections:

The ANCSA Regional Association and Alaska Native Village Corporation would like to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Senator Dan Sullivan and Representative Don Young on their victories.

As Alaska Native Corporations, we know that collaboration and coordination with elected officials is critically important to advancing the needs of our people. We especially rely on our Congressional delegation in Washington, where Alaska Native people – and the Alaska tribal system as a whole – are too often misunderstood.

Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Young are proven champions for Alaska’s native people and their unique needs. Working with them and the Biden administration, we look forward to making further progress in the fight against COVID-19 and addressing urgent priorities for Indigenous education, safety, jobs and the economy.

ARA and ANVCA thank these and all the elected officials we work with for their service and commitment to building a brighter future.

ANCSA REGIONAL ASSOCIATION