Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2022

Anchorage, AK – Citing their defense of Alaska jobs and keen understanding of the issues facing our state, the ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) has endorsed Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate and Mary Peltola for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Senator Murkowski has been a strong and reliable ally for Alaskans, and her leadership has been indispensable in our ongoing fight to fulfill the federal government’s promises to Alaska Native people,” said ARA President Kim Reitmeier. “Her unparalleled experience and relationships were critical to passing the infrastructure and energy bills that are bringing unprecedented levels of federal funds to Alaska, including crucial rural broadband and sanitation funding. At a time when Alaska is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and a recession, we need Senator Murkowski’s leadership and legislative skill more than ever.”

“A critical part of my role as U.S. Senator is to educate my colleagues, raise awareness about the unique issues and opportunities Alaska has, and to ensure the Senate understands just how different our state is from the rest of the country,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski. “Working together with ARA and their membership, I’m proud to have helped deliver real results on the issues that matter most to Alaska Native shareholders and their descendants, and look forward to continuing this important work over the next six years.”

ARA Board Chair Sophie Minich said: “Representative Peltola is making great strides for all Alaskans. She got to work immediately after her historic election, passing a bill for veterans’ food security through the House and supporting the Willow Project, which would bring jobs and economic development back to Alaska. Her commitment to finding bipartisan solutions and bringing her Alaska Native perspective to critical policy issues is inspiring to all of us.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the ANCSA Regional Association today,” said Representative Mary Peltola. “The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is a foundational law for our state. ARA, and its individual Regional Corporation members, are deeply dedicated to ensuring that it continues to empower Alaska Natives. Their work, from promoting Native business development to offering shareholder scholarships, has resulted in ANCs becoming major economic drivers, ultimately uplifting all Alaskans.”

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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, 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.

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/.

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/.

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.