I remember 1971, when the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was before Congress and there was a genuine concern in the country about wanting to improve conditions for Alaska Natives.
Forty years have passed since ANCSA became law, and Sealaska Corp. — the Alaska Native Corporation on whose board of directors I have served since 1972 — has yet to receive its final conveyance of up to 85,000 acres that Congress promised. Looking back, it would have been hard for us to believe in 1971 that we would still be asking for our land now in 2011.
This summer, legislation that would finally transfer lands promised in ANCSA is before Congress. In the U.S. House of Representatives it is H.R.1408 and in the U.S. Senate it is S.730.
The House bill was to go to markup, a legislative process, on Wednesday, which will be the farthest point we’ve reached in the six years that we have sought this legislation.
I am 40 years older and wiser, and yet I am hard-pressed to understand why there is now such a lack of concern about our Alaska Native peoples.
I have come to the conclusion that even though a vocal minority express opposition and animosity they are not as important as the unprecedented commitment of support from other organizations, businesses and individuals.
And I want to personally express my gratitude to this quiet majority of Southeast Alaska residents who are willing to support Sealaska and its Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribal member shareholders.
They include the 100 Southeast Alaska businesses that signed their names in support of our legislation. And the Alaska Chamber of Commerce and the Resource Development Council, which recognized the importance of keeping Sealaska’s 400 timber jobs in Southeast Alaska.
I also want to thank Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R) and Mark Begich (D) and Rep. Don Young (R) for introducing our legislation to Congress, for standing with us to see the promise fulfilled.
Since ANCSA, Sealaska has become part of the fabric of the lives of our 20,000 tribal member shareholders, and through business and the arts it has reached across Southeast Alaska and the entire U.S.
Sealaska is a leader in developing through scientific research and forestry management sustainable timber harvest practices. With our final entitlement of land, we will have enough accessible timber to put these strategies fully into practice.
Our opponents are busy pointing fingers at us about practices — while we are busy developing new ways of doing business, and taking care of our homeland.
They fail to consider that when we sell our timber for its best price — be that overseas, or here in North America — we sell it to keep people in jobs and local businesses open.
With our success we seek to bring opportunities to our shareholders, including helping them to preserve our cultures.
Last year the Sealaska Timber Corporation found an ancient Haida canoe amid 500-year-old trees near the Organized Village of Kasaan. Because Sealaska owned the land, we were able to identify and protect the site.
But there are historical and sacred sites across Southeast Alaska that are not in our ownership or that of the village corporations or tribes in our region. The legislation would bring many of these under Sealaska’s wing.
We didn’t start the destruction of these lands, but we survived it. And we have changed how we do business so that we can restore our lands. Our process for managing our young forests including planting trees is as beautiful as our processes for replanting our Native languages in the hearts of our families. (Note: Our planting is an aside to the overall management — I understand the metaphor and left it but want to be factually correct.)
Four decades on, I am convinced that we couldn’t have restored our lands, cultures and families without the resources that the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act brought to us.
The same is now true for passage of this important legislation. Again, thank you Congressman Young, Senator Murkowski and Senator Begich for your commitment to help bring closure to this chapter in our history.
• Jackson signed the incorporation papers for Sealaska Corp. in 1972, and has served continuously on its board ever since. He also serves on the board of directors for Sealaska Timber Corp. and is chairman of the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Council of Traditional Scholars. He is of the Tlingit Nation-Eagle Tribe, Tsaagweidí (Killerwhale) Clan, child of Kaach.ádi Clan. His Tlingit names are GastIN, AssXAAch, and Daanaawu. His Teikweidi name is Ta Gooch. He is from Kake.
Comments (45)
Add commentThank you to Mr. Jackson
Well said Mr. Jackson and thank you for all that you have done for your people. You know the old ways and share them with the young people. Please share the language before it's too late. You are one of our last Tlingit speakers. Gunalchéesh!
Barf. Nonsense.
Sacred sites?
Banging a drum on a beach shouldn't entitle you to thousands of acres of land surrounding it. Nor should finding an old canoe. There are older things on the wall of the Alaskan bar.
Sealaska had their chance. They could have gotten all the lands they were 'entitled' to back in 1971.
But they didn't want that land. They want BETTER land, land that is outside the original ANCSA boundaries. In short, they wanted to change the deal.
"...yet I am hard-pressed to understand why there is now such a lack of concern about our Alaska Native peoples."
Oh please........Natives get free health care. They got Native corporations which issue dividends. I wish I got a fraction of those perks.
Natives didn't get a bad deal. They got a good deal with ANCSA. It's Sealaska's fault for being greedy and wanting to change the deal, all under the disguise of "but we found a canoe!!!!"
Oh brother.............
Thanks Mr.Jackson for suppressing your fellow Natives for forty years. Thanks Mr.Jackson for the clear cuts at Hoonah and Kake. Thanks Mr.Jackson for four decades of nepotism and favoritism toward your family, and the greed that has identified Sealaska as an enemy of it's own people and other Alaskans.
End it !!!
It will be good to finish this whole process and move forward!
ANCSA was rammed down the
ANCSA was rammed down the Indigenous peoples throats by politicians who took bribe money from the oil, energy and mining conglomerates.
The state and federal governments had already surveyed Alaska for mineral deposits and other natural resources, while the indigenous had no knowledge of resources.
Exploitation is how the European invaders and immigrants treated and treats the Indigenous. The policies of colonialism with the European and American governments invading weaker countries to enable their freebooters, thieves, murderers and corporations to steal their natural resources and lands for colonization. With the enslavement, murder and genocide of the Indigenous people.
The whites have a habit of appointing self important men as chiefs who then sign everything over to the whites. Since our lands were stolen with ANCSA, the white appointed chiefs have been in positions of power and have retired to their fancy homes in the big cities. Far away from the villages they f--ked over.
The state and feds knew where the mineral deposits were, that's why the Indigenous lands are hodgepodge and broken up with the state trespassing on our lands. For the most part ANCSA was rammed down the throats of villagers who were busy with everyday tasks of fishing, hunting, trapping, hauling water and fire wood, to survive, and didn't know and understand what was going on.
Our white appointed leaders didn't say s--t about the land and resources theft then, and they still aren't saying s--t about the land theft. They were bred to be good apples. Listen to the massa and don't make waves, and we may throw you tidbits.
Colonialism, think about it. our 2 quagmires in the MidEast is for the trillions of dollars of minerals and resources in Afghanistan and the failed bid in Iraq the oil, energy and mining conglomerates want to process and steal.
And the descendants of the European immigrants who stole the Indigenous peoples resources and lands, refuse to admit their policies of colonialism are theft and murder and results in terrorism by the people p--sed off at the policies of theft and murder foisted on them by the American politicians on behalf of their corporate benefactors. p--sed off enough to want to kill themselves in order to kill as many Americans as possible, including the murder of 3,000 Americans on 9/11.
As a Indigenous person I realize how it goes. As descendants of thieves and murderers, you refuse to acknowledge the theft and murder. As for the apples?
Wow, curt. It's so nice to
Wow, curt. It's so nice to have a patriotic American, such as yourself, amongst us. How do you function day to day in such a dispicable country?
I have to agree with you, jo. Aren't we all Americans now? I wonder if the Natives could list some ways that their lives have improved since the "settlers" showed up. I'll start with medical innovation and modes of travel. What else? I thought we were supposed to be looking ahead - progressive?
Ah, the victim mentality.
Ah, the victim mentality. The world has done nothing but screw you over , hasn't it. Poor baby.
Medical care?
You're not seriously suggesting that the health of Native people is better now than it would be without colonialism and patriarchy? Would you think "free" health care is a good deal for all the physical, emotional, educational, and intellectual consequences of cultural trauma? Or are those realities just more "improvements" that can be denied or blamed on the people upon whom they were inflicted? Sarcasm passes for wit in the minds of the dull, while the privileged can only ask "what's the problem?" and reassure each other that their view is the only way to see.
Oh, that's right, the white
Oh, that's right, the white guy brought disease to the natives. Get over all the crap that Ward Churchhill and his ilk like to foster.
reader says, "Sarcasm passes for wit in the minds of the dull" - good one. I'll add, when the argument is lost, personal attacks are all that's left.
I don't even know what you're trying to say. Just use plain English for us "dull wits",without all the innuendos.
Huge Shore Line to Mountain Top Clearcuts for Miles is Cultural?
What an embarrassment. You can't polish a turd or word smith it into a jewel. It is what it is.
Madoff would love the modern Sealaska corporate scam - and all 'cultural characters'.
calypso, kpawsuh....
Don't you just wish the Natives would get over it, forget that 80 percent of their peoples were killed = genocide? Nice thought. And then to pile patriotism on top of your remark, jeh!
Free health care. Don't you wish the Natives would just handle this like you? If they did, then there is to be eviction of their lands for non payment. Don't believe it? Then check out the good ol' constitution of the USA. Do you know Mr/s Patriot the year of OUR constitution? 1787, article 1, section 8, OUR country acknowledging it's obligation for taking lands in error. Payment for this error is made in part through providing health care to those that were wronged, who? you guessed it, the Natives! Now for the good part, how much has our country paid of this health care. while they agreed to pay 100 percent, only ABOUT 50 percent is paid. So by rights of todays typical landlord, shouldn't the Natives evict for non payment? But no, they don't, even when you call them non patriotic, even though THE FACT IS a higher percentage of Natives serve in the armed forces. Take that to the bank Mr. Non Patriotic, along with the other 50 percent owed.
Free health care,.....what ever.
Thousands of Native lives.............
have been saved due to the medical services provided by the tax payers of this country for our elderly and our poor. Paid for by people that don't provide it in general for themselves. Anything but gratitude expressed by any Native is a sign of ignorance.
Whine some more. My native
Whine some more. My native american ancestors were brutalized, and they were brutal, both with "whites" and other tribes as well. My Danish ancesters - same deal. My German ancestors were thrown out of their country for their religious views and were persecuted in this country as well. So what? I never even knew any of those people. You may have met someone who lived through it up here, simply because it was more recent. I actually qualify for some benefits, but I don't take them as I feel it is important for me to stand on my own two feet. My ancestors were all strong proud people who lived by the sweat of their brow and never took a dime they didn't earn. They helped others in need and made sure they had met their own needs. A hand out does no one any good. There are no set backs, just opportunities for more work.
Feel free to whine though if it makes you feel better
For those that think something was "given" to Alaska Native
This land wasn't given to us, we fought for it. I'm sorry to hear that your culture did not do the same. You obviously have not read anything on Alaska History, otherwise you would be more informed. The native people of this land were not passive people, check the history books. Yes, we have been "banging drums" here in Alaska before the Ice Age, because we lived here and we still play our drums and sing the songs from those days. How long have you or yours been banging a drum in Alaska? The answer to that question, is also "your place" or "your rank" in this topic.
Can you even bang a drum, to songs from your culture, that are dated before the ice age?
I can sing "I am the walrus!
I can sing "I am the walrus! Ku Ku Kachoo!" Whats that got to do with anything?Why is everyone so willing to get incensed over things that happened before they were even born and fight to have those rectified, when instead, they should be looking at their own lives and what they can do to succeed and live a life of prosperity? Intead of whining about something that happened before they were born and laying blame on someone else who wasn't even born then either. Its like the hatfields and mccoys. "I am mad at you because your grandfather stole my grandfathers horse. I expect you to pay for it." Go talk to my grandfather about it. He did it, not me. Actually, in this instance, no one even related to me did any of it. Go talk to Seward. He's the one who bought it. So you want to take from a nation of people who did nothing to you, for the actions of a few who are all dead ? That makes as much sense as me saying that my ancestor was killed by the Souix, and even though you aren't Souix, you are a native american, so you should pay reperations for his death.
Just for the record, though,
Just for the record, though, I am very excited that you know your cultural songs etc. That is if you really do. I know some who do, and I know quite a few who say they do, but really dont. It is important to keep the culture and language alive. But it is also important to live in the current time and place. ou cannot ever go back to living the old ways and I dont think many would really want to. I like to romantically think of living in the wild, completely off subsistence etc. Then I go camping and remember how good a hot shower and flush toilet is, and long for a milk shake etc. I can live like that more than most and have at times, but I wouldnt want to have that as my only option. We are in the 21st century and the world has changed.
kpawsuh, gunal cheesh for sharing your history...the difference
Thank you for sharing your history. The difference between you and this is these are the original people of this land. Go to your original land and people, that is YOUR starting point. This is not. But it's okay if you don't understand, just respect, instead of ridicule, no need to call the historic original people of the land victims. There are agreements in place. THey are only getting three percent of their land back. Thats not a victim, thats your welcoming neighbor.
Good for you for working for yourself. But that is very different than what this is about. Again, this is NOT about being a victim.
Accept the welcome matt extended you, and respect the agreements to the original people of the land you are on, now yours. yaa gei! (it's good).
The Tlingit didnt do that for
The Tlingit didnt do that for the original people they displaced when they took over the land...
Don't waste your time..........
Sealaska's management would love to confine the opposition to responding locally as a diversion.
The ammo to shoot down this greed motivated bill is in the Hoonah Indian Association's produced video "Hoonah's Legacy" post it to every Newspaper and Television station in the country.
Send it to every politician in Washington DC.
We have our work cut out for us, lets get busy.
The Spirits that dwell in the Tongass are with us.
kpawsuh, huh?
do tell.
You do realize there were
You do realize there were people here that were displaced by the Tlingit, don't you?
again, do share
again, do share....take care to be factual. thanks.
Do your own research. I did
Do your own research. I did it. It isnt that hard. Or did you think that the world was created with the Tlingit right here?
YOUR claim without proof! funny kpawsuh!
You made the claim, I'm simply saying prove it. Don't make claims you cannot prove. YOU prove your claims i.e research. No need to be sarcastic, if you cannot prove YOUR claim, then don't make the claim. A claim without proof is just that, an EMPTY claim. And that's what you've presented, a claim without proof, therefore an empty claim. du!You are too funny.
Have a good rest of the day.
'do the research on my claim' : )
I don't think I've every had anyone ask ME to do the research on THEIR CLAIM.... amazing. That claims labeled, "a whole lotta nothing!" Sorry, I'm really getting a kick out of YOUR claim that you'd like ME to research to prove YOUR claim for YOU!
We gotta sit down over coffee on this one!
On a separate note, I agree with your comments about our national debt.
Most disrespectful
Do your own research. I did it. It isnt that hard. Or did you think that the world was created with the Tlingit right here?
You must not know very much about the local culture, or Alaska History, if you did you would not be talking like you are. You don't know what you are talking about, you're just making noise. I'm just as guilty for even wasting my time with a person of your ____.
When you spell the word isnt, you're supposed to add an apostrophe between the "n" and the "t", as in "isn't".
Good luck to you, I am sure one day, someone is going to grow sick of your bad attitude and address the problem adequately.
Wow, just wow
I was going to say something about Clarence and his editorial, but kpawsuh just blew me away, and not in a good way.
Let it out, don't let it fester and eat you alive is all I can say.
Victimhood
Everyone is a victim of something sooner or later.
Everyone can claim affiliation with SOME group who has been oppressed or wronged in past history.
I claim no credit, nor do I take any blame for the actions of my ancestors because I had absolutely no control over whatever they did, good or bad.
As such, I don't feel entitled to the spoils of their gains, the shame from their actions, or the pride of their accomplishments.
I live in the present.
And I am part of a government of the people, by the people and for the people. And when I don't agree with that government, I vote another way. I didn't create this government, but I use my power at the voting booth to continually re-shape it to the way I'd like it to be.
And as a human being, I feel I have a self-evident, inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Since I can't change the past, I accept it for what it is, and try to make the best out of all it, for everyone's sake.
But when everyone doesn't play fair, then I will play by THEIR rules, and I will beat them, because they were the ones who decided not to play fair.
Unfortunately, this creates a cycle. That wasn't my choice. I wish it wasn't there, but it is.
So, in my pursuit of my own individual happiness, I will live wherever I want, within the confines of whatever laws exist around me at the moment.
And I have chosen the Tongass National Forest.
And if any politician, Native Corporation or individual wants to deprive me of that for whatever reasons, I will fight back. If anyone claims what I perceive to be a disproportionate share of what they think they are entitled to, I will fight back.
My hope is that we can ALL live in the Tongass, in peace. That's why it's important to keep it in PUBLIC hands and not PRIVATE (Sealaska) hands. That way, it belongs to all of us proportionately.
But Sealaska and their lapdog Lisa Murkowski are doing their best to make sure that doesn't happen.
Their greed and their avarice is their undoing.
Disguise it however you want.
response to 'victimhood' Jo
We as tax payers cannot afford the land under the USFS. The land, whether under the USFS, or completing an agreement with Sealaska, WILL BE HARVESTED. It's designated for harvesting by both parties. The difference: The environmentalists have tied up the USFS harvest plan in courts, costing us taxpayers over 30 million. Under Sealaska, the same land will bypass this litigation.
The land will provide jobs to the same group of people. The jobs will come sooner with the transfer.
As a private land owner, Sealaska provides recreational and subsistence access to all it's lands on Prince of Wales. The bill says the same will occur with these transferred lands. This access to private lands is nothing new, and does not add nor take away what the USFS does.
Why the name calling? (lap dog). The voters have spoken! It's not necessary to disrespect what your Alaska neighbors clearly wanted. And look at how badly we wanted her, Senator Lisa Murkowski was elected as a write in. I urge you to attack the issue, not people. THE ISSUE IS OUR POOR ECONOMY. Southern southeast Alaska is suffering, evident by our declining populuation, high unemployment rates, and the neccessity to re-district us to give us what little voice we have left at government level.
There are several government agreements in place. It's time to finish them. Some (mostly environmental folks) voiced wanting selections to be second growth to protect a couple species they want protected; that's what this bill does.
Others want Sealaska to select within the original boxes. This equates to old growth selections. This group of folks cite the benefit of roads in the second growth selections.
Clearly there will be an unhappy group of folks with either selection. I'm in favor of the second growth selections, especially for the jobs it'll create near my hometown Klawock. Over the past five years our island population declined by over 800. This will provide an avenue for friends, former neighbors, and family to come home.
Lastly, welcome to the Tongass. This bill represents less than three percent returned. This portion will allow you the same access.
victimhood...!
I forgot to address that.... I guess because moreover this bills about jobs to me.
To begin with I was concerned about my generational homelands and damage. That was addressed seeing the results of the silvaculture and pruning on our already harvested lands. Then knowing that the lands slated for harvesting by both USFS and Sealaska.
I guess I just don't consider agreements 'victimhood'.