" In 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was enacted to resolve long-standing aboriginal land claims and to foster economic development for Alaska Natives. This federal law directed that corporations be created under Alaska state law, which were to be the vehicles for distributing the settlement. As directed by the act, 12 for-profit regional corporations were established, representing geographical regions in the state. Later, a 13th regional corporation was formed to represent Alaska Natives residing outside of Alaska. Eligible Alaska Native applicants who were alive on December 18, 1971, became shareholders in the corporations. The Settlement Act, as amended, authorizes the corporations to provide benefits to shareholders and to other Alaska Natives. GAO was asked to review these corporations. This report examines (1) governance practices of the regional Alaska Native corporations, (2) requirements for and oversight of the corporations' financial reporting practices, (3) benefits provided by the corporations to their shareholders and other Alaska Natives, and (4) questions to consider for the future. GAO reviewed relevant federal and state laws and regulations, as well as the corporations' annual reports, proxy materials, and other documents. GAO interviewed representatives from each of the 13 regional corporations and visited seven of the Alaskan regions. GAO is making no recommendations"

In 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was enacted to resolve long-standing aboriginal land claims and to foster economic development for Alaska Natives. This federal law directed that corporations be created under Alaska state law, which were to be the vehicles for distributing the settlement. As directed by the act, 12 for-profit regional corporations were established, representing geographical regions in the state. Later, a 13th regional corporation was formed to represent Alaska Natives residing outside of Alaska. Eligible Alaska Native applicants who were alive on December 18, 1971, became shareholders in the corporations. The Settlement Act, as amended, authorizes the corporations to provide benefits to shareholders and to other Alaska Natives. GAO was asked to review these corporations.

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act passed by Congress in 1971, hailed at the time as the most liberal settlement ever achieved with Native Americans, granted 44 million acres and nearly $1 billion in cash to a new entity -- Native corporations. When this book was published in 1985, that settlement was bitterly resented by the Alaska Natives themselves. Thomas R. Berger, invited by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference to head the Alaska Native Review Commission, traveled to sixty-two villages and towns, held village meetings and listened to testimony from Inuit, Aboriginal peoples, and Aleuts. His report, Village Journey, suggests changes in the law and public attitudes that will be required to reach a fair accommodation with the Alaska Natives and enable them to keep their land for themselves and for their descendants. The author's new Preface deals with problems still facing Alaska Natives and their corporations. This is a new release of the book published in May 1995.

Making up more than ten percent of Alaska's population, Native Alaskans are the state's largest minority group. Yet most non-Native Alaskans know surprisingly little about the histories and cultures of their indigenous neighbors, or about the important issues they face. This concise book compiles frequently asked questions and provides informative and accessible responses that shed light on some common misconceptions. With responses composed by scholars within the represented communities and reviewed by a panel of experts, this easy-to-read compendium aims to facilitate a deeper exploration and richer discussion of the complex and compelling issues that are part of Alaska Native life today.

Thirty years after the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act became law, Alaska Natives are subject more than ever to a dizzying array of laws, statutes, and regulations. Once again, Case and Voluck have provided the most rigorous and comprehensive presentation of the important laws and concepts in Alaska Native law and policy to date. This second edition provides a much-expanded and up-to-date analysis of ANCSA, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, and four fields of Alaska Native law and policy: land, human services, subsistence, and self-government. The authors also trace the development of the Alaska Native organizations working to influence and change these policies. Like the first edition, the expanded Alaska Natives and American Laws is the essential reference for anyone working in Native law, policy, or social services, and for scholars and students in law, public policy, environmental studies, and Native American studies.

Regional Alaska Native Corporations: Status 40 Years after Establishment, and Future Considerations