Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a piece of legislation formally recognizing Alaska’s 229 federally recognized tribes with the signing of HB 123, which doesn’t impact the current legal status of Alaska Tribes or change the state’s responsibility or authority, but it does formally recognize Alaska’s Indigenous people.
Alaska’s First Lady Rose Dunleavy said on Wednesday:
“Today, we are recognizing our whole person as Natives. We’re recognizing the important role that Tribes of Alaska played in our past, our present and in our future. Our history and culture is also Alaska’s history and culture. It’s one of sharing and one of a culture of service. Going back to the territorial guard, our people served Alaska and America by giving our lives in service, even in times when we were not recognized as equal by our federal government.”
She also said:
“Today represents another step in the recognition of our Tribes and our Tribal Governments as part of a whole person.”
The bill signing ceremony was held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives President Julie Kitka and Alaska Native Heritage Center Executive Director Emily Edenshaw. The bill’s signing was celebrated by key authors and advocates of AFN and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Emil Notti and Willie Hensley. By signing House Bill 123 into law, it shows the state of Alaska has a desire to foster engagement with Alaska Natives and tribal organizations.
The bill was formally introduced in 2021 and is similar to a ballot initiative that’s scheduled to go before voters this fall, but because this bill was singed into law, the need for the ballot initiative is therefore not needed.
Click here for more information on HB 123.