NEWS RELEASE
April 13, 2006

Central Council Helps Alaska Native Veterans and Native Allottees Secure Native Allotments in Southeast Alaska

Central Council has made tremendous progress in getting more Native Allotments in Southeast Alaska. About 900 Native allotments for Tlingit and Haida Tribal members will likely be secured by these efforts.

Under the direction of President Thomas, a Tribal working group facilitated by Desiree Duncan, Central Council Land Manager, was formed in 2003. This group is represented by 190 Tribes, Alaska Federation of Natives, Alaska Legal Services Corporation and the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council. The Tribal Working Group was created specifically to change the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Allotment Act.

On February 12, 2004, President Thomas at the invitation of the United States Senate appeared and gave testimony to the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forest. At the conclusion of his verbal testimony, President Thomas submitted written testimony which included the proposed legislation to amend the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Act and reopening the Shields allotments in the Tongass National Forest.

In 2005 amendments to the Alaska Native Veterans Allotment Act was introduced in the United States Senate as S. 2000 and in the House of Representatives as HR 1811. The legislation is pending at this time and Senator Lisa Murkowski has pledged her support to amend the law.

On January 18, 2006 Alaska State Representative John Coghill introduced into the Alaska State House, Joint Resolution HJR 27, which urges the United States Congress to amend the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Act (allowing veteran allotments in the Tongass) and to reopen and approve the Shields allotments (most of these allotments are located in the Tongass).

In March and April, 2006 Desiree Duncan, Central Council Land Manager, Paul Mayo, Tanana Chiefs, Realty Director and Carol Yeatman, Supervisory Attorney for Alaska Legal Services testified before the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and House State Affairs Committee and the resolution will now go to a floor vote on April 18, 2006.

Once HJR 27 is approved by Alaska’s House and Senate it will be sent to the members of the United States Congress. Senator Lisa Murkowski has pledged her support to amend the law. The Tribal working group expects HJR 27 will give momentum to S. 2000 and HR 1811 so that Congress will act in 2006 to amend laws that will mean the return of many acres of land to Tribal members. Ms. Yeatman and the Tribal working group are confident the resolution will pass the State House and the law will be amended by Congress.

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For More Information Contact:
Native Lands & Resources
Tel. 907/463-7183

Media Contact:
Jodi Wolf, CCTHITA Publications
9097 Glacier Highway, Juneau, AK 99801
Tel. 907/463-7123     
Email: jwolf@ccthita.org