ANCSA led the way for drilling and more importantly the ability to get produced fluids through Alaska. Without the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act the pipeline may still be tied up in the court systems deciding who own what pieces of land. So in that regard we can tie the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the argument over to drill or not to drill to ANCSA. Because it is such a big current topic at the forefront of many different discussions and arguments, here are a few links to help you discover for yourself its relevance and the ideology surrounding it.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
ANWR - what should we do?
ANCSA led the way for drilling and more importantly the ability to get produced fluids through Alaska. Without the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act the pipeline may still be tied up in the court systems deciding who own what pieces of land. So in that regard we can tie the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the argument over to drill or not to drill to ANCSA. Because it is such a big current topic at the forefront of many different discussions and arguments, here are a few links to help you discover for yourself its relevance and the ideology surrounding it.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Assignments
*Using the reliable (not opinion) internet resources research the Facts surrounding ANWR. I have provided two sites but you are not limited to the information contained within them. I encourage you to explore other resources as well. *Short essay assignment (1 – 2 pages) List and explain 5 pros and cons regarding drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. *Write a response to the things you have discovered using them to support your opinion on the matter. Should or shouldn’t we drill?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Regional Corporations
- unfamiliar corporate world
- idea of for profit corporations came from dominant culture
- Extinguished the Native rights to any and all lands not addressed in the Claim
- allowed potential for Natives to possible lose their land
- Excluded Natives born after 1971 form becoming shareholders
- No special benefits for elders as all shareholders had to be treated equally
- If a person missed the original enrollment period they could not be admitted late.
Why the Natives of Alaska Have a Land Claim"
Historical Events
Alaska: Rough Timeline and Points of Interest Leading up to Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
1741 – 1st contact
1867 – Treaty of Cession
Ø Purchase from The Russians for 7.2 million dollars
Ø NO consultation with Native groups
1884 – Organic Act
Ø Est. Territorial Govt.
Ø Provided for Native residency but not citizenship
Ø Prospectors and missionaries allowed land claims/holdings (citizens)
1912 – Alaska Native Brotherhood established
Ø Goal was to fight for the implementation of civil rights and citizenship for Alaska Natives
1924 – Citizenship Act
Ø Voting rights established for all Native Alaskans
1941 – 45 –WWII
Ø The war brings construction and development to the State
Ø 1942 – ALCAN highway construction
1959 – Alaska Statehood Act
Ø Congress approves 1/3 of land (approx. 104 million acres) to be selected for state land.
Ø State could either develop or sell for income
Ø Natives still have no title to land
1964 – Dot Lake land sale
Ø Village land dived and sold to highest bidder
Ø Advertised as “Wilderness Sites” at New York, Worlds’ Fair.
1968 – OIL (Prudhoe Bay)
Ø Discovery of large deposits of oil on the North Slope
Ø Precedent for ANSCA
Ø Land claims must be settled before construction and production of drill sites and pipeline.
**Questions in the courts:
Ø What would be allotted out of the total 367.7 million acres that is AK?
Ø What was traditionally used by the Native Groups?
Ø Proof?
o Had to define land claim boundaries.
Dec. 17, 1971 – Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)
Ø 11% (44 million acres) - Alaska Natives
o $962.5 million awarded for land that wasn’t received.
Ø 60% - United States Government
Ø 28% - State of Alaska