The Anchorage Assembly has passed a resolution setting up a government-to-government relationship that acknowledges the sovereignty of the Village of Eklutna.
The village will now formally take up its own resolution to reflect the agreement, said Aaron Leggett, village president and chairman.
“It serves as a model for municipalities and states, in Alaska and beyond, and so it’s really exciting that we are in many ways a leader in terms of how to properly, respectfully recognize and develop intentional, thoughtful, and productive relationships with tribes,” said Assemblyman Kameron Perez-Verdia. “I’m excited and I congratulate this body for moving forward with this.”
The measure passed 10-0, while an amendment by Assemblywoman Crystal Kennedy to remove the word “sovereign” failed.
During the meeting, Leggett clarified something he had stated during an earlier work session, which described the consultation role that he would have on projects in the municipality. Leggett expressed displeasure at the way it was characterized in Must Read Alaska, and read portions of a document that more fully described what he had been trying to explain earlier about how much authority the tribe would have over development in Anchorage.
Later, he described the relationship as one that would evolve.
