press releases

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.”

August 7, 2020

The ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Census Bureau’s announcement that it will end its 2020 data collection process on September 30 rather than October 31:

“We urge the Census Bureau to reconsider its expedited schedule and to ensure all Indian Country, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people are accounted for in the 2020 Census.

We are alarmed to see that, during a time of extreme difficulty for Native communities across the nation, the Census Bureau has elected to expedite its 2020 data collection schedule. In Alaska, our communities already face immense challenges to meet regular Census deadlines, as more than 80 percent of our communities are only accessible by air or water. No doubt due in part to these challenges, reports indicate that Alaska is currently last among all states in census self-response rates.

Cutting the counting period short could lead to our communities losing out on critical federal support for schools, hospitals, emergency response, and more.“

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