The Eyak Corporation Responds to Congressional Request

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The Eyak Corporation Responds to Congressional Request for DHS Information On EyakTek CORDOVA, Alaska, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/

The Eyak Corporation today reasserted its commitment to following strict ethical and legal compliance with all federal rules and regulations regarding its business activities and contracting services on behalf of the U.S. government. The company’s announcement follows last week’s indictment of a former Eyak Technology (EyakTek) employee who, for his own benefit, allegedly conspired with others outside EyakTek to defraud the U.S. government.

The announcement also follows a recent request by a Congressional representative to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for information on EyakTek and the past activities of another EyakTek subsidiary company.

“The alleged actions of EyakTek’s former employee, Harold Babb, constitute a reprehensible breach of trust, and violated an ethical and fiduciary responsibility to serve the interests of the U.S. government,” stated Rod Worl, Chief Executive Officer of The Eyak Corporation and President of EyakTek. “His alleged conduct in no way reflects the operations or corporate culture of The Eyak Corporation or any of our subsidiary companies. We will continue to assist the U.S. Department of Justice in its pursuit and prosecution of all those involved in this scheme to defraud our country.”

Eyak noted that last week’s indictments involve the alleged activities of Mr. Babb and those he allegedly conspired with at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – as well as another as-yet unidentified company -- to enrich themselves at the expense of the U.S. government.

In a letter dated October 12, a Congressional representative requested information from DHS regarding other EyakTek federal contracts, including information relating to EyakTek subsidiary, EG Solutions (EGS), work on the DHS FirstSource contract, and Mr. Babb’s activities while employed at EGS. The alleged scheme detailed in last week’s indictments has no connection whatsoever to EGS's performance on the FirstSource contract.

EGS remained in compliance with all federal rules and regulations regarding its work on the FirstSource contract, evidence of which was provided in a detailed response to the SBA following its suspension in November 2010 on an unrelated matter.

All EGS billings under the FirstSource contract were appropriate; they reflected products and services provided to the government at fixed prices following competition among approved FirstSource vendors.

Furthermore, while an employee of EGS, Mr. Babb was not involved in the sourcing or administration of individual orders, was not involved in reporting on the FirstSource contract, nor was he involved in the selection of teaming members or suppliers related to individual contract orders. EGS fully cooperated with the U.S. Government in its review of those matters.

Mr. Worl concluded: “We applaud the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice to hold those who participated in this alleged scheme personally accountable for their actions.” For more information about the Eyak companies, please visit our websites at eyakcorporation.com and eyaktek.com.

SOURCE The Eyak Corporation RELATED LINKS
http://www.eyakcorp.com

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.

58 Members of House of Rep - Sign Letter Against Long Overdue Native Land Settlement

Fifty-Eight members of the House of Representatives succumbed to the media blitz put on by environmental special interest groups who would deny the Indigenous-owned corporation/people from receiving land entitled to them for settlement of their Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act legislation (ANCSA). This land settlement would have fulfilled the promise from Congress over from almost forty years ago.

These 58 members of Congress signed a letter that said Sealaska receiving this land would negatively impact the environment. Sealaska rightfully says the letter is "misleading" and "ill-informed."

If this legislation is passed, the bill would maintain and create jobs, while preserving old-growth trees. It will also put the land in the hands of the rightful indigenous caretakers. The Tongass National Forest is land that is made available for Native selection. Sealaska owners are the indigenous people of that region - therefore -- Let the People have the land that should be rightfully theirs. It is a no-brainer.

One member of Congress who see's clearly through the smoke, wrote a letter to get accurate information to the public and Congress. To read this letter find the link at this site: Don Young's letter.

Standing for Native Hawaiians Strengthens Native Americans

Native Americans must continue to stand side-by-side on the front lines with Native Hawaiians to help pass the Senate version of The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (Akaka Bill). The Native Hawaiians have been fellow sojourners in our indigenous struggles. Their history is not unique to our own. A three fold cord is not easily broken. Native Hawaiians, Native Alaskans and Lower '48 Natives together are a force to be reckoned with if we stay united now and after this bill is passed.

Even though Native Alaskans and Native Americans are indigenous relatives - there are always internal and external forces that try to keep indigenous groups weakened and separated.

An internal example of seperation is a well respected national association that has a policy that doesn't allow indigenously owned Alaska Native corporations to participate on their board. Alaska Natives handle this oversight with grace and dignity, but it needs to change. Opening up their board to the Northern Natives will greatly strengthen the organization.

An external example of forces trying to divide indigenous people was special interest groups portraying the Native 8(a) program as an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) only loophole. Alaska Natives corporations did not have the ability to have casino's so many, like Chugach Alaska Corporation, participated in the Native 8(a) Program earlier than most tribes. ANCs had to find a way to make money or they would lose their indigenous land. Fortunately many tribes now successfully participate in the 8(a) program and have united with the Native Alaskans to bring the public information to preserve the program.

The main point is that it is important to support our indigenous friends and relatives even if they are not on the continental United States. Thinking Global is thinking strong.

Standing with the Hawaiians, helping them when they need it, embracing them as indigenous relatives, asking them for help when we need it, will exponentially increase our strength and healing. Our indigenous diversity is an asset that must be cultivated.

I have had the great priviledge to live next door to a friend who happens to be Native Hawaiian. I can tell you that we are kindred spirits. Similiarly, on a mass scale, there is no doubt - that the borders of Indian Country will also be enlarged when WE continue to open their hearts to our Native Hawaiian relatives by continued support.

Contact your senator and tell them to support the Akaka Bill.

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.