Washington Post Misses the Mark on Native 8(a) Core Facts

It is a shame the Washingon Post printed story writer, Robert O'Harrow's unbalanced article in a front page spot. At best, his characterizations of Alaska Natives in government contracting demonstrates the need for the public to receive more accurate information regarding successful Native 8(a) businesses. Will the Washington Post step up to the plate to provide this balanced journalism??

O'Harrow blatantly states in his article, Promises Unmet, that the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) promises remain unfilled. The problem with his under researched statement is that Congress is fulfilling the promise given to Alaska Natives by allowing them to participate in the Native 8(a) Program without bias or prejudice against them.

Congress promised Alaska Natives economic development opportunities in exchange for their millions of acres of oil-rich land, which was the Alaska Native's legal indigenous and historic land. Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) have not asked for a hand-out from the government - but through the Native 8(a) Program have participated in the hand-up from Congress that was rightfully offered, and graciously taken. This is called fulfilling the ANCSA promise.

Through ANCSA, Congress mandated Alaska Natives to form corporations to protect their indigenous lands and to provide economic benefits and opportunities to their Native shareholders. Think about it for a minute -- Most businesses or groups find a business they want to do and then incorporate. Alaska Natives were forced to incorporate and then go find a business. If the Alaska Native owned businesses goes bust then their indigenous sacred land is lost forever.

A PROMISE THAT IS A WORK-IN-PROGRESS

Remember, Alaska's indigenous people gave up trillions of dollars worth of land and resources for what they STILL BELIEVE is legislation that will be honored from Congress without bias or prejudice. The Native 8(a) Program is the missing piece of Congresses ANCSA fulfillment.

Alaskans live in a remote location. They don't have casino privileges as do Lower '48 Natives. Participation in the Native 8(a) Program was the solution to fulfill the ANCSA promise from Congress for this historically underprivileged group of people.

• Are Alaska Native individuals rich from government contracting? No.
• Are many Alaska Native's quality of life improved from educational benefits, job opportunities, dividends and cultural revitalization funding from ANC profits? Yes.
• Are their children going to college with scholarship benefits provided from contracting revenues? Yes.
• Will there be more native employee's at ANCs with each new generation after they benefit from training, education and development from business profits? Yes.
• Are the majority of ANCs doing a excellent job in their line of business - government contracting? Yes.
• So what's the problem? Nadda

Facts:

• Many Alaska Native Corporations excel at the government contracting business and receive rave reviews from the government.
• As Native American Contractors Association (NACA) rightfully point out: "ANCs must submit a comprehensive proposal showing commensurate qualifications, past performance and the infrastructure required to successfully complete each contract award."
• For a comprehensive list of facts visit: http://www.native8aworks.com/the_facts/.

This article represents the sole opinion of the author, Brenda Dukart.

"Sealaska is Tongess Land Caretaker of Choice"

Sealaska, the indigenous caretakers - of THEIR indigenous land, have over well over 20,000 Native shareholders who provide a checks and balance for the corporation. Native American's do not want their land to be taken care of in a harmful manner. It is their lifeblood. Sealaska is made up of these indigenous caretakers and they will look out for their own land better than the Wilderness Society could.

Have you ever asked Sealaska if they planted any new healthy trees? Trees Sealaska had begun replanting in 1982 grew to fifty feet tall and eight inches thick, and about 150,000 seedlings would be planted on 1,000 acres in the following year.

Sealaska does not hatchet the Circle of Life - they help complete it. Trees left to disease or beetle infestation are targets for great uncontrollable forest fires. Responsible land management is expected for Sealaska and they live up to their responsibility.

The Forest Services says, "Forest management can be consistent with wildlife objectives. There are especially bright prospects for partial cutting on the Tongass. Managing for a mosaic of forest patches has been suggested for deer in southeast Alaska. In addition, recent work suggests that certain types of partial cutting conserves deer habitat and old-growth structure, while maintaining the health of the forest."

Lets understand Sealaska's natural green disposition before jumping to conclusions. Sealaska is looking out for the generations of the future and so you can trust they will manage their land with that in mind. As stated, the land is the life blood of Sealaska's people: the Tlingit, Haida and Tshimshian's....so Sierra Club you should sleep like a baby tonight.

Sealaska Corporation Set To Receive Promised Land - Critics Balk

Sealaska, an Alaska Native corporation (ANC) set to receive land entitlement in 2010 from the 1972 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) legislation. They gave up 17 million acres in trade for 375,000 acres. It is less than one percent of all land conveyed to Natives in ANCSCA.

Critics who have a problem with this entitlement are no better than the gold/land grubbing greedy expansionists who broke treaty with Native American's years ago. Native American's, which of course include Alaska Natives, have given up so much for the United States. Our country must live up to their word to Native Americans. As a society it is time to evolve not revolve.

For more information check out this excellent February 18, 2010 article by Chris McNeil Jr. at the Juneau Empire: http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/021810/opi_564575815.shtml.