KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Alaska Natives across the country will meet Sunday via webcast to discuss their views on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
The forum, which is being organized by the First Alaskans Institute, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the passage of ANCSA and is said to be the first time so-called "after-borns" have come together to discuss the effects of the largest land claims settlement in United States history.
The term "after-born" is a divisive one. It’s used to describe an Alaska Native person born after December 18th, 1971, and therefore someone who is not an original enrollee of ANCSA or a shareholder, unless they’ve inherited shares. FAI doesn’t use the term, but it’s known to those familiar with the issue. Instead, they use language such as "those born after" or "descendants."
The webcast will be streamed from Anchorage, however, there are gatherings planned for Kodiak, Bethel, Juneau, Fairbanks, Fort Yukon, Nome, Kotzebue, Seattle and Washington D.C. that will participate in the discussion. People are encouraged to organize their own gatherings if one is not already scheduled in their community.
KMXT’s Jennifer Canfield spoke with LaToya Lukin, who is organizing the Kodiak congregation. Lukin says Kodiak-area Natives are coming to the conversation from a slightly different position. The regional corporation Koniag Inc. has a program that provides benefits to descendants, regardless of whether they are a shareholder or not. She says that perspective might be helpful to others who have little or no meaningful connection to their regional corporation.
— (NELF ANCSA Forum 1:54 "Just knowing from being enrolled … this is what we’d like and can you help us get there?"
That was LaToya Lukin talking with KMXT’s Jennifer Canfield about a forum that will discuss the effects of ANCSA on the lives of those born after its passage date. You can find more information about the forum here .
Those interested in attending the Kodiak gathering can contact LaToya Lukin at 907-486-2530 or by e-mail at llukin(at)koniag.com.
