A special step towards a better future

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What if Alaskans have the power to change the trajectory of our entire nation? We know that might sound like pie-in-the-sky dreaming or potentially the ramblings of an overly optimistic team committed to our climate future. But honestly, right now, this special election could influence national politics more than you may realize.

Recently we had the chance to vote in our special runoff primary, and we have three candidates to choose from in the August special election. These 3 candidates show us three routes our state could take depending on who rises to the top in the next Ranked Choice election. We could be looking at an extremist conservative candidate with a history of abandoning our state in times of need. We could have an even more extreme candidate who wants to remove bodily autonomy and destroy the EPA. Or we could make another choice, and the seat left open by Don Young could be filled with a progressive candidate who has shown their commitment to protecting our salmon, our communities, and our way of life in Alaska.

Isn’t it about time an Indigenous woman represents our state? Isn’t it about time we let our leaders know that the attacks on our bodily autonomy, environmental protections, and accessible voting are not just decisions Alaskans will sit idly by and watch? Isn’t it time we show the rest of the nation what change can look like and what we need leadership to be?

Sure this special election is for a limited term, but this first special election has the ability to set the stage for an election season where Alaskans say we want progressive leaders to make effective and long-lasting policy decisions for the country. Decisions that can help turn the direction of our climate and our country’s future.

And while this special term is only a few months, whoever gets elected has a much stronger chance of being elected in November. When people turn up to vote, the political infrastructure (campaigns, parties, and political spenders) listens. This is an opportunity for Alaskans to influence bigger and broader elections.

This election is a chance to show up and move the needle for our climate and our communities. When we show up at the polls, we show leadership that we are active and will stay engaged. Our numbers in elections can set the tone, and our leaders can expect to be held accountable for the length of their term.

This year, Alaskans have a lot of elections, and each of them holds the power to make a significant change in our state and our country. This special election can be more special than we may even know. Don’t forget this Sunday is the Voter registration deadline for the special house election.

Keep your eye on the prize, and together we can build a future for all Alaskans.
The Alaska Center

The Governor’s Election Ahead – Our Endorsement

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After an in-depth process, The Alaska Center Board of Directors has unanimously voted to endorse the Les Gara and Jessica Cook Gubernatorial ticket and encourages voters to rank the Bill Walker and Heidi Drygas ticket second.

The Gara/Cook campaign stands by The Alaska Center values 100%. Les Gara has a strong track record of being a clean air and water champion, healthy communities, and a strong democracy. This campaign has a vision for Alaska we want to be in and the leadership skills to get the job done. This endorsement decision was not a difficult one.

In a ranked-choice voting environment, voters must rank multiple candidates to give us the best chance to defeat Governor Dunleavy in this election.

More On Our Endorsement

While Governor Walker may not share every policy goal of ours, we know that he would do right by Alaskans in restoring civil leadership to the administration that recognizes the urgency of the climate crisis. We encourage voters to rank the Walker/Drygas ticket second.

The stakes in this election are incredibly high: we need to oust Governor Dunleavy. Dunleavy has orchestrated a budget crisis that threatens our communities. He has been a puppet for Pebble Mine and supported conspiracy theories that sow doubts in our election system. He has even attempted to gut our Automatic Voter Registration and waste millions of dollars of our dwindling state resources in supporting countless frivolous lawsuits, sweetheart contracts, and more. It is time for Dunleavy to go.

Alaskans deserve leadership that has a vision for a thriving, just, and sustainable future. These candidates can bring our state back on track and can pave a new path forward to a sustainable, renewable, and viable Alaska that works for All Alaskans.

I hope you join me in ranking Les Gara and Jessica Cook first, and Governor Walker and Heidi Drygas second!

Why do you celebrate Juneteenth?

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]This weekend, Alaskans and others across our country will commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth. Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is a time to recognize and amplify Black excellence. It is also a call to action: that we must engage in anti-racism in every aspect of our lives to push back against the continued oppression of white supremacy throughout our education, government, and legal systems and throughout our communities. And it is a reminder of the growth and healing we are capable of when we learn about our true histories.
Juneteenth is also a time to reflect upon the importance of prioritizing freedom from over freedom to. For decades “states” and plantation owners thought they had the freedom to enslave human beings for profit. But we all must have freedom from enslavement, violence, misinformation, colonization, government retaliation, and brutality of any kind; and fight for freedom from attacks on our genders and identities.
Juneteenth is an opportunity to lift up all voices and ensure everyone can access and participate in the decisions impacting our communities and lives. To have a true democracy, all Alaskans must be able to vote and be reflected by the leaders we elect.
The Anchorage Juneteenth Citywide Celebration will be the largest ever, starting with a Freedom Rally at 12:30 pm on Saturday, June 18th at the Delaney Park strip. There will be over 100 vendors, games, and activities for the whole family, entertainment, dignitaries, a parade, a pageant, speakers, and more! We will be there running the KidZone (lots of fun activities!), and helping voters understand the new Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) system. We need more volunteer help, please email info@akcenter.org if you can join us for a shift!
In Fairbanks on Saturday, we’ll be at NAACP’s Freedom Day from 10 am to 2 pm at Allridge Park. This picnic and party will have food, vendors, cultural presentations, and activities for the whole family.
We hope you can join us at these events or others in your community, celebrating freedom, standing in solidarity with others, and speaking truth to power toward a thriving, just, and sustainable future. See you out there!

\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”5″ ][cs_element_button _id=”6″ ][cs_content_seo]More Event Info\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]

PRIDE!!!

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]At The Alaska Center, we believe a true democracy is one in which all Alaskans feel safe, respected, and able to participate in the decisions impacting our communities; and when all Alaskans feel reflected and represented.
Today’s blog is dedicated to PRIDE Month. Pride is more than rainbow memes and merch; it is about the uplifting of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Questioning (LGBTQ+) voices, hearts, and culture and the protection of LGBTQ+ rights. It is a declaration of direct action and care. It is the remembrance that our inalienable rights were not codified by pen and paper, but love and rage turned to action at an anti-police brutality riot in June 1969. This is the history our work builds from. As allies and activists, we must honor and remember this truth. We must hold this truth when we grow our movements, build our tables, and cast our ballots.
This year, rampant attacks on Transgender people and women’s bodily autonomy swept through the nation and played out right here at home, during the Alaska legislative session. SB140, a bill that would ban transgender girls from playing sports, narrowly passed to be then tabled by three votes on the Senate floor. Our House failed to pass HB17, the anti-discrimination bill that would protect LGBTQ Alaskans, again. In Anchorage, community spaces that should be places of safety, learning, and belonging- like our public library- are threatened by ignorant leadership and harmful actions like banning books.
For years, the policies and actions of our leaders have continued to tell LGBTQ+ Alaskans that they are not protected or valued. All of this is why diligence and action are essential. This is why voting accessibility and education matter so much. It’s why holding our leaders accountable to all our community members is paramount. And it’s why we must come together as a community and bask in our joyous resilience now.
Actively seeking and creating joy is a revolutionary act and ensuring that those joyful voices are heard is at the heart of our work.
Pride events are happening across the state, and we hope to be there to celebrate and amplify in as many spaces as we can this month!
Be sure to check in with your local LGBTQ+ leaders to support the events and communities in your area.

Girdwood is hosting a third annual Pride Parade on June 17 at 7 pm 

Homer Pride is hosting a Juneteenth X Homer Pride Community Walk on June 18 from 12-3 pm 

Anchorage, head down to Writer’s Block on June 25 from 12 pm-6 pm for the Fourth Annual Pride Block Party. More details on Facebook >>  

Fairbanks Queer Collective has an event guide! More info can be found on their Facebook page or website! 

Underground Pride and the Queen’s Guard is hosting a celebration for all of their LGBTQ+ families and allies in the Mat-Su Valley! 

Native Movement is hosting several events this month: their 3rd annual Diversity in the OUTdoors, individuals can submit videos until June 13

Indigiqueer/LGBT2S Caspeq Workshop June 18 &19, and Drag Story Hour June 30- see their FB page for more info! 

The League of Conservation Voters is hosting an “Out to Win” webinar”: LGBTQ+ candidates can face special challenges on the campaign trail, especially in more conservative parts of the country. They’ll talk with two LGBTQ+ elected leaders and hear their tips on successfully running and legislating. June 21, 2022, 10 am PT/1 pm ET Join the webinar.

Wherever you are we hope all of you find a reason to celebrate. To our queer friends, family, coworkers, and partners in this work- we love you so very much, and we will always fight with you.
Happy Pride Month!
The Alaska Center Team\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”5″ ][cs_element_image _id=”6″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]

Hot Takes In A Cold Place: The Legislative Session Rides Off

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who advocated on bills and budget items this past legislative session. Through your phenomenal effort, we stopped numerous bad bills, settled on a budget that promotes public education and put the brakes on Dunleavy’s move to take over development permitting in sensitive wetland habitats from the EPA.
To recap. Due to your advocacy via letter writing, emails, phone calls, social media pressure, and direct grassroots citizen lobbying, the following bills passed the Legislature and are headed to the Governor’s desk:

Tribal Recognition! HB 123 by Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky passed and will require the State of Alaska to recognize Alaska’s federally recognized tribes. The federal government has a special and unique relationship with tribes that the State formally acknowledges. HB 123 will codify in Alaska law that federally recognized tribes are sovereign governments. It does not change any legal relationship. State recognition of Tribes will honor the first peoples of this land and the historical, economic, and cultural value they bring to the State.
Update to Alaska Sexual Consent Law: HB 325 by Rep. Sara Rasmussen was amended to include HB 5 by Rep. Geran Tarr and changes Alaska’s 40-year-old sexual consent statutes to change how sexual assault can be prosecuted by modernizing the definition of consent.
CPACE expansion: HB 227 legislation by Rep. Calvin Schrage to expand the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy statute to include upgrades that improve the climate resiliency of commercial properties.
Broadband Expansion: HB 363 by Rep. Bryce Edgmon establishes the Office of Broadband to prioritize the expansion of high-quality, affordable broadband access to unserved and underserved communities and positions Alaska to receive unprecedented amounts of federal funding for broadband expansion statewide.

On the other side of the coin, you helped stop a slew of bad bills:

SB 39 worked to undermine local control of elections, suppress voting in Alaska, and take away the legal mechanism that adds thousands of new voters annually through Alaska’s Permanent Fund dividend – the automatic voter registration statute.
HB 398 would have made it impossible for Alaskans to protect waters of high ecological value as Tier III waters under the Clean Water Act.
SB 97 sought to give the Department of Natural Resources the power to authorize commercial development on any state land regardless of its status in an area land use plan and to repeal the Recreational River statutes that protect six popular and anadromous Mat-Su rivers: The Little Susitna River, The Deshka River, The Talkeetna River, Lake Creek, Alexander Creek, and The Talachulitna River.
HB 82, a bill to authorize subsurface natural gas drilling and development in Kachemak Bay, which is currently off-limits to oil and gas development.
HB 98 was legislation to decrease citizen participation in the Forest Land Use Plan process for timber sales.

There is a lot to unpack as a legislative session ends. This Memorial Day Weekend, we urge you to take the time to reflect on the positive outcomes of this past session and take heart in the true power of citizen advocacy in our beloved Democracy.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”5″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_button _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]More Bills This Session\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]

What we are fighting for

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]The leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion on Roe v. Wade rightly kicked off a firestorm of outrage across the United States and Alaska. In Alaska, where the courts have consistently upheld the state’s constitutional right to privacy as a bulwark against laws seeking to overturn reproductive rights, the constitution is in the crosshairs of national and state-level conservatives. The question of whether the state should open up its constitution to a convention and likely significant revisions has been rejected by the voters every ten years it has come up since statehood. For a good reason: too much polarization and too much money are at play for anything to emerge from a constitutional convention exercise except for a partisan, lobbyist-influenced document that is home to the priorities of national groups like the Koch Brothers. A convention-written document would deprive Alaskans of fundamental rights (like the right to privacy) and dismantle tools of societal cohesion such as public education.
In the Alaska State Legislature, bills seeking to reimpose campaign contribution limits face long odds after the Alaska Public Offices Commission voted to strike down rules implementing a $1500 limit per individual. Currently, the money-spend potential is unlimited, which could lead to a campaign season like nothing we have ever seen.  
Bills to both increase and decrease access to voting are crashing against one another as the session nears its terminus in Mid May. Whether S.B. 39 and H.B. 66 are reconciled into a grand bargain package of voting law changes has yet to be seen. We know that voter fraud’s “Big Lie” persists and is at the heart of election restriction proposals. The belief that more Alaskans should have access to the voting franchise is at the heart of arguments to make it easier to register, to vote by mail, and to have your vote count if a simple mistake is made on a by-mail ballot.
The Alaska Center has fought to empower Alaskans for over fifty years. We believe that all Alaskans deserve clean air and water, healthy salmon, personal respect, dignity, safety, and their voices heard in the political process. We have worked this past year to increase access to the tools of a thriving democracy by supporting legislation at the state and federal levels to expand voting access. These are the tools that will help prevent outside corporate interests from taking over the levers of our constitutional system of laws. These are the tools that will protect Alaska’s women’s privacy and medical freedom. These tools will prevent our politics and campaigns from being overrun by millionaires and billionaires.
Join us this Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a COVID-Safe outdoor spring auction where we will celebrate the fight to grow Democracy. This year’s event, Democracy for All, will highlight our work to protect and enhance our Democracy. We believe a true democracy is one in which everyone feels safe, respected, and able to participate in the decisions impacting our communities. 
In solidarity,
Louie Flora
Government Affairs Director
The Alaska Center
Tickets are still available at the door and the silent auction is live now.
This is a COVID-conscious event so please be prepared to present proof of vaccination for yourself and your children.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”5″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_button _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]More Bills This Session\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]

A DEC Budget Trap

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]So far, only three states in the United States have assumed primacy for dredge and fill permitting in wetlands. One of those states – Florida – assumed permit primacy in the waning days of the Trump administration. Like Governor Sean Parnell before him, Governor Dunleavy wants Alaska to pay for wetland permitting that is now being paid for by the federal government. The rationale for this proposed forever budget increase paid for by our schools and universities and roads in lean years is that there is an expectation that there will be a return on investment. Through far more relaxed permitting requirements, zero Tribal consultation, and minimal enforcement, Alaska will see a massive influx of Mines.
Governor Dunleavy convinced the state House Finance Committee to add $5 million to the operating budget so that the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation could hire 32 full-time staff. This means 32 new full-time salaries, benefits, travel budgets, etc., to create a state wetland dredge and fill program that is equivalent to the program already paid for by the federal EPA. Perhaps the Dunleavy administration is going to pay these new workers peanuts. $5 million is a far cry from the cost estimate in 2013 when Governor Parnell foisted primacy on the Legislature. At that time – EPA had 49 positions administering its permitting program at a cost of $7.9 million in 2013 dollars. You don’t have to read a crystal ball to see how this will play out for Alaska should the Senate adopt the House numbers and we start a wetland permitting program. You can bet that if the Legislature agrees to this initial $5 million allocation, we should more realistically expect to pay at least a 10 million dollar figure, subject to inflation, moving forward in countless budget years.
It will require more money than was described initially by a less than trustable Dunleavy Administration and the former Pebble spokesperson running DEC now – you can bank on that as a fact. It will lead to costly litigation for the state – bank on that. It will be a messy and costly tug of war between the state and federal government–look at what happened in Florida.
In Florida, with a Governor who is predictably combative with the federal government, there is significant disagreement on the scope of what are to be considered wetlands. Florida continues to apply the Trump EPA version, a predictably and significantly restrictive definition. This definition (Waters Of The United States – WOTUS) was invalidated by a district court opinion, and the Biden EPA is applying a pre-2015 version of WOTUS to which Florida disagrees. Alaska has 65% of the nation’s wetlands and a Governor who loves nothing more than to spend state money fighting the Feds, so the Legislature should anticipate this allocation to DEC will also kick off endless increases in “Statehood Defense” spending. 
The return on investment for paying to take over wetland permitting is likely to be this: 1. Good grandstanding politics for Governors. 2. Mine development plans that factor in lax state permitting and no Tribal consultation, so Mines are freer to destroy salmon habitat, and 3. Jobs–mainly for State attorneys paid out of the General Fund to fight with the EPA. That sounds like a great deal!
The State Senate should say No to this allocation of our money.
Sincerely,
The Alaska Center\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”5″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_button _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]Bills to Watch This Week\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”9″ ][cs_element_button _id=”10″ ][cs_content_seo]More Bills This Session\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]

Climate Rights

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]Do current and future generations have a constitutional right to a safe climate? Sixteen youth plaintiffs filed a constitutional climate lawsuit against their state government in 2017 to argue that we do have such a right. 
In Sagoonick v. State of Alaska, the young plaintiffs assert that Alaska’s fossil fuel energy policy and the State-authorized fossil fuel development and ensuing greenhouse gas emissions that result have caused and contributed to Alaska’s climate crisis. The policies have placed the youth plaintiffs in danger and are harming their health, safety, homes, culture, and Native villages in violation of Alaska’s Constitution.
On January 28, 2022, in a split 3-2 decision, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled against the young plaintiffs. On February 7, the youth plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing of their case, asking the Court to reconsider its decision and allow their case to go forward. The youth were disappointed about the February 25 denial of their petition, but the fight is far from over. 
State lawmakers have taken note of how close the decision in Sagoonick was. Representative Ben Carpenter, a Republican from the fossil-fuel embracing town of Nikiski, took to the House Floor to make a note of this. Representative Carpenter stated, “this isn’t going away” and that “the implication here…is that State…oil exploration policy…our energy policies…need to be adjusted for an individual’s right to have a safe climate.”  
While some lawmakers may take the close decision as a warning that the state’s petroleum industry is under attack by the youth, Carpenter’s words offered another assessment – sobering to some – that the courts are coming around to the idea of a right to a safe climate.   
Suppose an industry or a policy effectively uses our atmosphere as a dumping place for a chemical byproduct that is enough quantity can put into question the ability of mammals to survive on the planet. In that case, you bet today’s young people should try their level best to stop any additional inputs of that chemical byproduct. The courts are taking note of the danger ahead if we cannot radically decrease the emissions of CO2 and methane into the air. Too much is at stake for this issue to just go away. Expect future lawsuits, legislation, and petitions for rulemaking from the young people of our state and nation.  
Government regulations on industry are in place to protect our health and, ultimately, our individual freedom. The brave youth plaintiffs in Sagoonick v. State of Alaska are fighting for our individual health, individual freedom, and collective health and freedom. These youth are true patriots, and their actions resonate with other youth. Change is coming.
Yours,
The Alaska Center\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”5″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_button _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]Voice Your Support on March 1st\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”9″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”10″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”11″ ][cs_element_button _id=”12″ ][cs_content_seo]Bills To Watch This Week\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”13″ ][cs_element_button _id=”14″ ][cs_content_seo]Learn More About Bills This Session\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]

Take Action in Support of Tribal Recognition

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This week we celebrated the life and accomplishments of Elizabeth Peratrovich, a leader in equality and justice not only in Alaska but nationwide. Through the efforts of Peratrovich and others, the legislature passed The Alaska Equal Rights Act of 1945, which was the first state or territorial anti-discrimination law in the United States. As we look back to our nation’s long and continuing struggle for equal rights, the efforts of Elizabeth Peratrovich mark a milestone and a beacon of hope.

On Elizabeth Peratrovich Day (February 16th – the day the Alaska Equal Rights Act was signed into law), we held a really great community event. Over 80 Alaskans came together online to watch “For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska,” a film that documents the struggles of Indigenous Alaskans to end racial discrimination laws in Alaska. At that event, we took time to draft public comments in support of HB 123/SB 108, the Tribal Recognition Bill currently in the Alaska House of Representatives, and heard from Waahlaal Giidaak Blake, a sponsor of Tribal Recognition Ballot Measure.

As we discussed in our email last week, the Tribal Recognition Bill is legislation that will require the State of Alaska to recognize Alaska’s federally recognized tribes. The federal government has a special and unique relationship with tribes that the State would formally acknowledge. This bill will codify in Alaska law that federally recognized tribes are sovereign governments. It does not change any legal relationship. State recognition of Tribes will honor the first peoples of this land and the historical, economic, and cultural value that they bring to the state. The Tribal Recognition Bill is substantially similar to a ballot initiative that will move forward should the legislature fail to pass the bill.

Tribal Recognition has a lot of bipartisan support. It is in its final committee of referral, The Senate State Affairs Committee (a further committee referral was removed earlier this week, so after it passes State Affairs, it goes to the Senate Floor for a vote). The voice of Alaskans in support of this bill is critical. Tribal Recognition is an act of respect and dignity between our state and Alaska Native Tribes. It is time to raise your voice in support of this act. Let your legislator know that you support the swift passage of the Tribal Recognition Bill and that you support formal recognition of Alaska Native Tribes.

Tribal Recognition Now

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[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]HB 123, a bill to institute official state recognition of Indigenous Tribes in Alaska, has a long list of bipartisan legislative co-sponsors. A proposed citizens initiative that would do the same thing has an impressive 53,000 signatures (state law only required 36,140 signatures to make the ballot). The tribal recognition campaign has surpassed this benchmark by orders of magnitude, proving a popular and necessary policy. State law also provides the state legislature the opportunity to pass significantly similar legislation ahead of a vote on a ballot measure, hence HB 123.
House Bill 123, introduced by Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, will require the State of Alaska to recognize Alaska’s federally recognized tribes. The federal government has a special and unique relationship with tribes that the State formally acknowledges. HB 123 will codify in Alaska law that federally recognized tribes are sovereign governments. It does not change any legal relationship. State recognition of tribes will honor the first peoples of this land and the historical, economic, and cultural value they bring to the State.
The federal government recognizes 229 tribes in Alaska. For context – there are 574 federally recognized tribes nationwide. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs: “A federally recognized tribe is an American Indian or Alaska Native tribal entity that is recognized as having a government-to-government relationship with the United States, with the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations attached to that designation, and is eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.”
A policy to recognize tribes in Alaska will help build trust and respect in the State of Alaska’s relationship with Tribes. While Alaska has a long history of explicitly denying tribal recognition following statehood and the later passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, it is high time we respect the sovereignty of tribal governments. One of the most poignant quotes on the matter, courtesy of Native Peoples Action “The foundation of any relationship is first recognition.”
HB 123 will be heard, and public testimony will be taken at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, February 15, in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Please consider signing up to testify by calling 907-465-4648 or send a note of support to Senate.State.Affairs@akleg.gov
In recognition of the critical importance of Alaska Native Tribal members in dismantling the racism and colonialism in state law, please join The Alaska Center on Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, February 16, from 1 pm-2:30 pm for a screening of “For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska” followed by small group discussions. You can register here.

Alaska Native Peoples have faced countless obstacles in the fight for equal access to decision-making in our State. Elizabeth Peratrovich, an Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand President and a member of the Lukaax̱. ádi clan in the Raven moiety of the Tlingit nation fought at the forefront. Organizing innumerable community members, she paved the way to ensure Indigenous peoples today can access housing, education, careers, and even citizenship rights. We keep up her fight, and on Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, we honor her with a virtual community event.
Join us to see how she advocated for all Alaskans, and together let’s talk about how we can keep her legacy alive in our work moving forward!
The Alaska Center

\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”5″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_button _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]Bills To Watch This Week\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”9″ ][cs_element_button _id=”10″ ][cs_content_seo]Learn More About Bills This Session\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]