The Alaska Native Regional Corporations were established in 1971 when the United States Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) which settled land and financial claims made by the Alaska Natives and provided for the establishment of 13 regional corporations to administer those claims.[1] [2]
Under ANCSA the state was originally divided into twelve regions, each represented by a "Native association" responsible for the enrollment of past and present residents of the region. Individual Alaska Natives enrolled in these associations, and their village level equivalents, were made shareholder in the Regional and Village Corporations created by the Act. The twelve for-profit regional corporations, and a thirteenth region representing those Alaska Natives who were no longer residents of Alaska in 1971, were awarded the monetary and property compensation created by ANCSA. Village corporations and their shareholders received compensation through the regional corporations. The fact that many ostensibly Alaska Native villages throughout the state were not empowered by the ANCSA to form village corporations later led to a number of lawsuits.
The regional and village corporations are now owned by Alaska Native people through privately owned shares of corporation stock. Alaska Natives alive at ANCSA's enactment on December 17, 1971, who enrolled in a Native association (at the regional and/or village level) received 100 shares of stock in the respective corporation. In 2006, the 109th Congress passed S.449 which amended ANCSA, and allowed for shares to be more easily issued to those who had missed the enrollment, or were born after the enrollment period[3] by reducing the requirement for voting from a majority of shareholders to a majority of attending shareholders at corporation meetings.[4]
During the 1970s, ANCSA regional and village corporations selected land in and around native villages in the state in proportion to their enrolled populations. Village corporations own the surface rights to the lands they selected, but regional corporations own the subsurface rights of both their own selections and of those of the village corporations.
The Act lays out the specifics of the corporations' status. Here is an excerpt of the relevant portion:[5]
43 U.S.C. § 1606
(a) Division of Alaska into twelve geographic regions; common heritage and common interest of region; area of region commensurate with operations of Native association; boundary disputes, arbitration. For purposes of this chapter, the State of Alaska shall be divided by the Secretary within one year after December 18, 1971, into twelve geographic regions, with each region composed as far as practicable of Natives having a common heritage and sharing common interests. In the absence of good cause shown to the contrary, such regions shall approximate the areas covered by the operations of the following existing Native associations:
(1) Arctic Slope Native Association (Utqiaġvik, Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Atqasuk, Nuiqsut, Kaktovik, Anaktuvuk Pass);
(2) Bering Straits Association (Seward Peninsula, Unalakleet, Saint Lawrence Island);
(3) Northwest Alaska Native Association (Kotzebue);
(4) Association of Village Council Presidents (southwest coast, all villages in the Bethel area, including all villages on the Lower Yukon River and the Lower Kuskokwim River);
(5) Tanana Chiefs' Conference (Koyukuk, Middle and Upper Yukon Rivers, Upper Kuskokwim, Tanana River);
(6) Cook Inlet Association (Kenai, Tyonek, Eklutna, Iliamna);
(7) Bristol Bay Native Association (Dillingham, Upper Alaska Peninsula);
(8) Aleut League (Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands and that part of the Alaska Peninsula which is in the Aleut League);
(9) Chugach Native Association (Cordova, Tatitlek, Port Graham, English Bay, Valdez, and Seward);
(10) Tlingit-Haida Central Council (southeastern Alaska, including Metlakatla);
(11) Kodiak Area Native Association (all villages on and around Kodiak Island); and
(12) Copper River Native Association (Copper Center, Glennallen, Chitina, Mentasta).
[...]
(c) Establishment of thirteenth region for nonresident Natives; majority vote; Regional Corporation for thirteenth region. [...]
(d) Incorporation; business for profit; eligibility for benefits; provisions in articles for carrying out chapter. Five incorporators within each region, named by the Native association in the region, shall incorporate under the laws of Alaska a Regional Corporation to conduct business for profit, which shall be eligible for the benefits of this chapter so long as it is organized and functions in accordance with this chapter. The articles of incorporation shall include provisions necessary to carry out the terms of this chapter.
The thirteen regional corporations created under ANCSA are:
There are over 200 village corporations, corresponding to the list of villages published in the text of ANCSA. Most corporations serve a single village, though some smaller villages have consolidated their corporations over the years.
| Village corporation | Community | Regional corporation | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afognak Native Corporation | Koniag, Incorporated | http://www.afognak.com | |
| Port Lions | |||
| Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc. | http://aki-kodiak.com | ||
| Kaguyak | |||
| Akiachak Limited | Calista Corporation | ||
| Akuliuk Inc. | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Akutan Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| Alakanuk Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Alaska Peninsula Corporation[6] | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | http://www.alaskapeninsulacorp.com | |
| Newhalen | |||
| Port Heiden | |||
| South Naknek | |||
| Ugashik | |||
| Aleknagik Natives Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | |||
| Anton Larsen Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Arvig Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Askinuk Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Atkasook Corporation | Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | ||
| Atmauthluak Limited | Calista Corporation | ||
| Atxam Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| Ayakulik Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Azachorok Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Baan-o-yeel kon Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Bay View Inc. | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Bean Ridge Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Beaver Kwit'Chin Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Becharof Corporation | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Belkofski Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| Bells Flats Native Group Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Bethel Native Corporation | Calista Corporation | http://www.bnc-alaska.com | |
| Brevig Mission Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Buckland Nunachiak Corporation | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Cape Fox Corporation | Sealaska Corporation | http://capefoxcorp.com | |
| Caswell Native Assoc. Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Chalkyitsik Native Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Chaluka Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| Chefarnrmute Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Chenega Corporation | Chugach Alaska Corporation | http://www.chenega.com/ | |
| Chevak Co | Calista Corporation | ||
| Chigik River Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Chignik Lagoon Native Corporation | |||
| Chickaloon Moose Creek Native Assoc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Chitina Native Corporation | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Choggiung Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Chugach Natives Inc. | Chugach Alaska Corporation | ||
| Chuloonawick Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Council Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Cully Corporation | Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | http://www.cullycorp.com/ | |
| Danzhit Hanlaii Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Deacons Landing Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Deering Ipnatchiak Corporation | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Deloycheet Inc. | Doyon, Limited | http://www.deloycheet.com/ | |
| Dineega Corporation | |||
| Dinyea Corporation | |||
| Doratoi Inc. | |||
| Dot Lake Native Corporation | |||
| Eklutna Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | http://www.eklutnainc.com | |
| Ekuk Native Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Ekwok Natives Limited | |||
| Elim Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Elim Native Corporation | |||
| Emmonak Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| English Bay Corporation | Chugach Alaska Corporation | ||
| Evansville Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| The Eyak Corporation | Chugach Alaska Corporation | http://www.eyakcorporation.com | |
| Far West Inc. | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Forty-Mile Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Gakona Corporation | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Gana-a'yoo Limited | Doyon, Limited | http://www.ganaayoo.com/ | |
| Kaltag | |||
| Koyukuk | |||
| Nulato | |||
| Ganawas Corporation | Sealaska Corporation | ||
| Gold Creek-Susitna Native Association | Calista Corporation | ||
| Susitna | |||
| Goldbelt Inc. | Sealaska Corporation | http://www.goldbelt.com/ | |
| Golovin Native Corporation | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Grouse Creek Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Gwitchyaazhee Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Haida Corporation | Sealaska Corporation | http://www.haidacorporation.com/ | |
| Haycock Native Group Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Hee-yea Lingde Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Sealaska Corporation | www.hunatotem.com | ||
| Hungwitchin Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Igiugig Native Corporation | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Iliamna Native Corporation | |||
| Ingalik Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Iqfijouq Co | Calista Corporation | ||
| Isanotski Corporation | Aleut Corporation | https://web.archive.org/web/20100813124630/http://www.isanotski.alaska.com/ | |
| Isingnakmeut | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Ivaisaapaagmit Corporation | |||
| Kake Tribal Corporation | Sealaska Corporation | https://www.kaketribalcorporation.com/ | |
| Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation | Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | ||
| Karluk Native Corporation | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Kasigluk Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Katyaak Corporation | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Kavilco Inc. | Sealaska Corporation | http://kavilco.com/ | |
| Kenai Native Association, Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Kian Tr'ee Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| King Cove Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| King Island Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Kiutsarak Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Kivalina Sinnigaakmiut | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Klawaock Heenya Corporation | Sealaska Corporation | ||
| Klukwan, Inc. | Sealaska Corporation | http://www.klukwan.com | |
| Kluti-Kaah Corporation | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Knikatnu Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Kokarmiut Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Kokrines Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Koliganek Natives Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Kongnikilnomuit Yuita Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Kootznoowoo Inc. | Sealaska Corporation | http://www.kootznoowoo.com | |
| Koovukmeut Inc. | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Kotlik Yupik Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| K'oyitl'ots'ina Limited | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Huslia | |||
| Alatna | |||
| Allakaket | |||
| Koyuk Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Kugkaktilk Limited | Calista Corporation | ||
| Kuskokwim Corporation | http://www.kuskokwim.com | ||
| Chuathbaluk | |||
| Crooked Creek | |||
| Georgetown | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Lower Kalskag | Calista Corporation | ||
| Upper Kalskag | |||
| Napaimute | |||
| Red Devil | |||
| Sleetmute | |||
| Stony River | |||
| Kuukpik Corporation, Inc. | Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | http://www.kuukpik.com | |
| Kwethluk Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Kwik Inc. | |||
| Leisnoi, Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Levelock Natives Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Lime Village Co | Calista Corporation | ||
| Litnik Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Little Lake Louise Inc. | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Lower Tonsina Inc. | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Manokotak Natives Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Mary's Igloo Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Maserculig Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Medfra Native Council Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Mendas Cha-ag Native Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Mentasta Inc. | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Minchumina Natives Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Montana Creek Native Association | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| MTNT Limited | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Nikolai | |||
| Takotna | |||
| Telida | |||
| Nagamut Limited | Calista Corporation | ||
| Napakiak Corporation | |||
| Napaskiak Inc. | |||
| Native of Kodiak Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Nebesna Native Group Inc. | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Neechootaalichaagat Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Doyon, Limited | |||
| Nelson Lagoon Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| Nerklikmute Native Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Newtok Inc. | |||
| NGTA Inc. | |||
| Nima Corporation | |||
| Nunivak | |||
| Ninilchik Natives Association, Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Noatak Napaaktukmeur Corporation | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Nondalton Native Corporation | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Northway Natives Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Nu-Nachk Pit Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Nunakauiak Yupik Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Nunamiut Corporation | Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | ||
| Nunapiglluraq Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Nunapitchuk Limited | |||
| Oceanside Corporation | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Ohgsenskale Corporation | |||
| Ohog Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Old Harbor Native Corporation | Koniag, Incorporated | https://www.koniag.com/ | |
| Olgoonik Corporation, Inc. | Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | http://www.olgoonik.com/ | |
| Olsonville Inc. | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Oscarville Native Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Aleut Corporation | http://www.ounalashka.com/ | ||
| Ouzinkie Native Corporation | Koniag, Incorporated | http://ouzinkienativecorporation.com/ | |
| Paimiut Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Paug-Vik Inc. Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Pedro Bay Corporation | |||
| Pilot Point Native Corporation | |||
| Pilot Station Native Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Pitkas Point Native Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Point Possession Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Port Graham Corporation | Chugach Alaska Corporation | ||
| Putoo Corporation | NANA Regional Corporation | ||
| Qanirtuuq Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Qemirtalek Coast Corporation | |||
| Saguyak Inc. | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| St. George Tanadax Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| St. Marys Native Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| St. Michael native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Salamatoff Native Association Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | http://www.salamatof.com/ | |
| Sanak Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| Savonski Corporation | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Sea Lion Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Seldovia Native Association Inc. | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | https://snai.com/ | |
| Seth-do-ya-ah Corporation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Shaan-Seet Inc. | Sealaska Corporation | https://www.shaanseet.com/ | |
| Shaktoolik Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Shee Atiká, Inc. | Sealaska Corporation | http://www.sheeatika.com/ | |
| Shishmaref Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Shumagin Corporation | Aleut Corporation | http://www.shumagin.com/ | |
| Shuyak Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Sitnasuak Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | http://www.snc.org/ | |
| Slana Native Corporation | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Solomon Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Sta-Keh Corporation | Chugach Alaska Corporation | ||
| Stebbins Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Stuyahok Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Swan Lake Corporation | Calista Corporation | ||
| Talzina Inc. | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Tanacross Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Aleut Corporation | https://web.archive.org/web/20090209101557/http://tanadgusix.com/index.html | ||
| Tanalian Inc. | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Tatitlek Corporation | Chugach Alaska Corporation | http://www.tatitlek.com/ | |
| Teller Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Tetlin Indian Reservation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Tikigaq Corporation | Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | http://www.tikigaq.com/ | |
| Tihteet'aii Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Toghotthele Corporation | |||
| Togiak Natives Limited | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Tozitna Limited | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Tulkisarmute Inc. | Calista Corporation | ||
| Tuntutuliak Land Limited | |||
| Tununrmiut Rinit Corporation | |||
| Twin Hills Native Corporation | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | ||
| Twin Lake Native Group Inc. | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Tyonek Native Corporation | Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated | ||
| Uganik Natives, Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Arctic Slope Regional Corp. | http://www.ukpik.com/ | ||
| Umkumiute Limited | Calista Corporation | ||
| Unalakleet Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| Unga Corporation | Aleut Corporation | ||
| Uyak, Inc. | Koniag, Incorporated | ||
| Venetie Indian Reservation | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Wales Native Corporation | Bering Straits Native Corp. | ||
| White Mountain Native Corporation | |||
| Wisenak Inc. | Doyon, Limited | ||
| Yak-tat Kwaan Inc. | Sealaska Corporation | https://www.yak-tatkwaan.com/ | |
| Yedetena Na Corporation | Ahtna, Incorporated | ||
| Chistochina | |||
| Zho-Tse, Inc. | Doyon, Limited |
The federal Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (ISDA) gave self-autonomy to both Native Indian tribal governments and to ANCs.[12]
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act had set aside about in funds for federally-recognized "tribal governments". The U.S. Treasury Department earmarked about of those funds for ANCs. While the federal government had generally recognized that ANCs fell under "tribal governments" since the passage of the ISDA, three Native Indian tribes from the lower 48 states sued the Treasury, asserting that the ANCs were not federally-recognized "tribal governments" under a statutory interpretation of the law. This led to the United States Supreme Court case, Yellen v. Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, which was decided in June 2021 that under ISDA, the ANCs were federally-recognized "tribal governments" and thus qualified for CARES funds.[13]
| Abbreviation | ANCSA | Alaska Native Regional Corporation | 2016 Annual Revenue | Approximate No. of Shareholders | ||
| 1 | ASRC | Arctic Slope Native Association | Arctic Slope Regional Corporation | $2,370,000,000 | 13,000 | |
| 2 | BSNC | Bering Straits Association | Bering Straits Native Corporation | $326,000,000 | 7,500 | |
| 3 | NANA | Northwest Alaska Native Association | NANA Regional Corporation | $1,300,000,000 | ||
| 4 | AVCP | Association of Village Council Presidents | Calista Corporation | $492,000,000 | 13,000 | |
| 5 | DOYON | Tanana Chiefs' Conference | Doyon, Limited | $305,410,000 | 19,000 | |
| 6 | CIRI | Cook Inlet Association | Cook Inlet Region, Inc. | $289,000,000 | ||
| 7 | BBNC | Bristol Bay Native Association | Bristol Bay Native Corporation | $1,510,000,000 | 10,350 | |
| 8 | TAC | Aleut League | The Aleut Corporation | $171,660,000 | 3,900 | |
| 9 | CAC | Chugach Native Association | Chugach Alaska Corporation | $842,400,000 | 2,600 | |
| 10 | SEAC | Sealaska Corporation | Sealaska Corporation | $145,510,000 | 23,000[14] | |
| 11 | KANA | Kodiak Area Native Association | Koniag, Incorporated | $252,000,000 | 3,850 | |
| 12 | AHTNA | Copper River Native Association | Ahtna, Incorporated | $218,000,000 | 1,900 | |
| 13 | Regional Corporation for Thirteenth Region | Insolvent |
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