The House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 123, which formally recognizes the Alaska Native Tribes that have existed and governed themselves for millennia. While the federal government acknowledged its relationship with Tribes through the Self Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, Alaska statutes differ. The House Coalition states that Alaska obtained statehood during an era of Indian policy where the federal government sought to terminate its trust relationship with Tribes.
District 38 Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky of Bethel, “House Bill 123 is a bill that would, for the first time, codify recognition of Alaska’s Tribes in Alaska state law. The federal government has a special and unique relationship with Tribes that, through this bill, the state would acknowledge in Alaska statute. In 1831, a few decades before Alaska became a territory of the United States, the United States Supreme Court under Chief Justice Marshall determined that Indian Tribes or what he called ‘domestic dependent nations’ which he described as distinct independent political communities under the United States. With respect to domestic dependent nations, Chief Justice Marshall described them as ‘a weaker power does not surrender its independence, its right to self government, by associating with a stronger and taking its protection. A weak state, in order to provide for its safety, may place itself under the protection of one more powerful without stripping itself the right of government in ceasing to be a state.’”
House Bill 123 doesn’t change Alaska’s relationship with Tribes, but affirms their status, enumerated by the federal government. House Bill 123 will now be transmitted to the Senate where it will receive committee referrals and continue through the legislative process next year.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.