Sealaska’s Land Entitlement, It’s Time to Fulfill the Promise

Sealaska is entitled to at least 354,000 acres as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). To date only 290,000 acres have been conveyed. Up to 85,000 acres remain to be conveyed to Sealaska.

Under ANCSA, Congress returned 44 million acres to Alaska’s Native people and further declared that it would be “accomplished rapidly." But 39 years later Sealaska is still waiting for its final land entitlement.

Recently Prince of Wales (POW) residents spoke about the economy on POW and the need for jobs. The testimony was part of town meetings on Sealaska’s land bill requested by Senator Murkowski and attended by staff from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Sealaska has selected sections from the testimony, which can be viewed below.

“When can Natives have something that is good enough? When can Natives have prime land?”
Sarah Dybdahl

“I speak in favor of Senate Bill 881 because there was bargain made with the United States Government. And that bargain was Sealaska, us, shareholders, not just Sealaska, but all the natives of the state of Alaska gave up aboriginal rights.”
Mary Guthrie

“It was said that we shouldn't be having any doings with the North End (POW), because we don't live there, or we haven't lived there. And, so I had to come tonight.”
John Rowan

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