Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 41, the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act.

This bill rights a wrong that has endured for more than 50 years.

When Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971, it made a promise to Alaska Native people: land and the right to form their own corporations to manage that land and build their futures. However, five southeast Alaska communities, Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, were left out.

Through no fault of their own, the Native people of these communities were given a name no Native community should ever have to carry: the Landless.

For half a century, the people of these five communities have come to Washington, made their case, and waited patiently and persistently for this body to keep its word. They have done everything that was ever asked of them.

My predecessors have introduced this bill ten times in this body, and in all those years, this House has yet to pass this bill.

Today, we change that.

H.R. 41 finally allows these communities to do what every other Alaska Native community was able to do decades ago: organize their corporations, receive their land, and chart their own course.

This action fulfills a promise and recognizes that Alaska Native self-determination was always meant to include these communities.

To the elders and leaders of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell who never gave up: We thank them for persevering.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 41.

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