House Natural Resources Committee Meets with Alaska Native Leadership

On Wednesday, August 27th, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a crucial roundtable discussion at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, bringing together leadership from the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), the ANCSA Regional Association (ARA), and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA). The focused event addressed pressing issues impacting Alaska Native communities, underscoring the vital relationship between federal policy and local sovereignty.

Congressional Delegation Hears Firsthand Accounts

The House Committee on Natural Resources holds expansive jurisdiction over matters that directly affect Alaska Native people, particularly through its Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. The delegation was led by Committee Chair Representative Bruce Westerman, and included Vice Chairman Rob Wittman and Representatives Paul Gosar, Pete Stauber, Tom Tiffany, Harriet Hageman, Val Hoyle, Celeste Maloy, Sarah Elfreth, and Randall. Their purpose in traveling to Alaska was to listen directly to Native leaders regarding the management and stewardship of their ancestral lands and resources.

AFN President Ben Mallott emphasized the necessity of this direct engagement: "Engagement with Members of Congress is essential to ensure that the voices of Alaska Natives are heard regarding the management and stewardship of our lands and resources." He stressed that policymakers must fully understand and respect traditional and cultural ways of life, concluding that Alaska Native communities are the ones "best positioned to balance protecting our traditions and pursuing economic development for the benefit of future generations."

Addressing Policy and Economic Development

The roundtable served as a valuable opportunity for open dialogue between Alaska Native leadership and the congressional members on critical issues encompassing public land policy, conservation efforts, economic development, and natural resource management. The organizations expressed sincere appreciation to Representative Nick Begich for coordinating the visit, thereby ensuring the committee members heard firsthand from those most affected by federal decisions.

ARA President Nicole Borromeo highlighted the importance of educating policymakers on the unique structure of Alaska Native governance and economic life. She explained, “These roundtables are vital to helping policymakers understand the unique organizational structure created under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the role Alaska Native corporations play in that structure.” Borromeo insisted that ANCSA is a living policy that "must continue to adapt to meet the needs of our communities," and that Alaska Native people are the best guides for these changes to ensure the law remains a foundation for cultural strength, economic development, and the well-being of future generations.

Focusing on Land Use and Community Health

Attendees engaged in a productive exchange, addressing natural resource issues critical to Alaska’s future, which are essential for crafting policies that promote environmental sustainability while simultaneously honoring cultural values and supporting community well-being. ANVCA Executive Director Curtis McQueen specifically thanked Rep. Begich and the Committee for their "swift work on H.R. 43 – the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025." McQueen stressed that communities are best positioned to determine the appropriate use of their lands and welcomed the roundtables as a means to "continue educating policymakers on the uniqueness of our state and the land use policies that directly impact daily life in our villages."

Thanks were also extended to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for their contribution to the discussion, during which they emphasized the vital role of healthcare access in rural Alaska in ensuring long-term community stability and health. These conversations collectively underscored the strength and determination of Alaska Native communities and highlighted the critical, ongoing need for collaboration with policymakers to support and protect cultural heritage while fostering sustainable opportunities for future generations.