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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 11, 2026
Contact: ANCSA@marathonstrategies.com

Anchorage, AK – Nicole Borromeo, President of the ANCSA Regional Association (ARA), issued the following statement in response to the Alaska’s State Legislature’s unanimous passage of Senate Joint Resolution 26 and House Joint Resolution 44, which support Alaska Native corporations’ (ANCs) participation in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) business development program:

“We are pleased that the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the critical role ANCs play in driving Alaska’s economy, and how participation in the 8(a) business development program helps ANCs achieve that success. With the unanimous passage of these joint resolutions, Alaska’s legislature joins our congressional delegation and Governor Dunleavy in support of ANC participation in the 8(a) program.

“In 1992, Congress explicitly included ANCs in the 8(a) Small Business Act as an economic development mechanism to advance Alaska Native self-determination. Today, ANCs support over 150,000 shareholders using profits generated from their business activities, including revenue from federal contracting activities through the 8(a) program. Beyond their shareholders, ANCs and ANC-owned contractors also support 51,000 jobs in all 50 states, including 8,270 direct jobs and 15,470 induced jobs in Alaska alone.

“Alaska is unified in its support for continued ANC participation in the 8(a) program. ARA will continue to work with state and national-level elected representatives, business partners, and federal officials to ensure that our collective voice is heard on this issue.”

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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.

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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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.