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Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act
9/12/2024, 12:08 AM
Summary of Bill S 1889
The bill aims to address the injustices faced by these communities, including the loss of land, resources, and cultural heritage. It seeks to establish a process for the federal government to officially recognize these communities and provide them with the necessary resources and support to preserve their cultural identity and way of life.
If passed, the bill would provide funding for economic development, education, healthcare, and other essential services for these communities. It would also establish a commission to oversee the recognition process and ensure that the communities receive the compensation they are entitled to. Overall, the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act is a significant step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by Native communities in Southeast Alaska and providing them with the recognition and support they deserve.
Congressional Summary of S 1889
Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act
This bill allows five Alaska Native communities in Southeast Alaska to form urban corporations and receive land entitlements.
Specifically, the bill allows the Alaska Native residents of each of the Alaska Native villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, to organize as Alaska Native urban corporations and to receive certain settlement land.
The bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey specified land to each urban corporation. Further, Interior must convey the subsurface estate for that land to the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska.
The land conveyed to each urban corporation must include any U.S. interest in all roads, trails, log transfer facilities, leases, and appurtenances on or related to the land conveyed to the urban corporation.
The bill also allows each urban corporation to establish a settlement trust to (1) promote the health, education, and welfare of the trust beneficiaries; and (2) preserve the Alaska Native heritage and culture of their communities.
The bill also directs Interior to convey certain Bureau of Land Management land to the City of Tenakee Springs, Alaska (upon written request of the city and subject to specified terms and conditions).
