By KIM JARRETT | THE CENTER SQUARE
A new law will allow up to five state-tribal compact schools in Alaska.
Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, sponsored Senate Bill 34, which authorizes the schools for five years.
“This is a historic opportunity to embrace our unique Alaska Native heritages, providing a means for local tribal governments to determine their own path for educating young Alaskans,” Stevens said.
The bill provides no funding, according to its fiscal note.
“Any costs associated with the negotiations and development of the report to the legislature will be absorbed within the Department of Education and Early Development’s operating budget,” the note said.
The tribes have until December to tell the Department of Education if they want to negotiate. The DOE will then submit the plans to the Legislature.
“We collectively want to maintain our language, culture, and traditional ways of life,” said Julie Kitka, President of the Alaska Federation of Natives in a statement. “Educational compacting is one way that we can improve education for our tribal children.”
Dunleavy signed the bill Thursday, the same day he signed legislation formally recognizing Alaska’s tribes.
“Today is a historic day for Alaska and one that is long overdue,” said Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel, who sponsored House Bill 123. “While the inherent sovereignty of Alaska Tribes has been consistently affirmed in Federal policy, in rulings by the Supreme Court, and by Executive Order in 2018, the signing of House Bill 123 provides formal recognition in statute for the first time in our state’s history. I hope today is looked back on as the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration and partnership between the State and Alaska’s Tribes.”
The law is just a formal recognition of the state’s federal 229 tribes and does not change Alaska’s authority, according to a news release from Dunleavy’s office.
“House Bill 123 codifies in law what Alaskans have long recognized: the important role that Native Tribes play in our past, present, and future,” Dunleavy said.
A similar initiative was expected to be on the November ballot, but the bill’s passage has eliminated the need for voter approval.
“The formal recognition through this legislation is an historic step for us to have a successful relationship with the state,” Kitka said. “The cultural survival of our Indigenous people is dependent on our ability to maintain our values, practice our traditions, and maintain freedom to live our lives well with dignity and respect for each other.”
Dunleavy also signed a bill that causes the State of Alaska to formally recognized the 229 tribes in Alaska.
HB 123 does not impact the current legal status of Alaska tribes or change the State’s responsibility or authority. However, it does formally recognize Alaska’s indigenous people.
“House Bill 123 codifies in law what Alaskans have long recognized: the important role that Native Tribes play in our past, present, and future,” said Dunleavy. “I congratulate all the legislators who nearly unanimously voted for this bill and our hosts today, Julie Kitka with the Alaska Federation of Natives and Emily Edenshaw with the Alaska Native Heritage Center. I also want to thank Emil Notti and Willie Hensley for attending and speaking at this historic bill signing – we can’t tell the story of Native rights and unity without Willie and Emil.”
The bill signing ceremony was held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and hosted by Alaska Federation of Natives President Julie Kitka and ANHC Executive Director Emily Edenshaw. T
he bill’s signing was celebrated by key authors and advocates of AFN and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Emil Notti and Willie Hensley. The signing of HB 123 signifies the State’s desire to foster engagement with Alaska Natives and tribal organizations.
“Today is a historic day for Alaska and one that is long overdue,” said Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, the bill’s sponsor. “While the inherent sovereignty of Alaska tribes has been consistently affirmed in federal policy, in rulings by the Supreme Court, and by executive order in 2018, the signing of House Bill 123 provides formal recognition in statute for the first time in our State’s history. I hope today is looked back on as the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration and partnership between the State and Alaska’s tribes.”
“The cultural survival of our Indigenous people is dependent on our ability to maintain our values, practice our traditions, and maintain freedom to live our lives well with dignity and respect for each other,” said Julie Kitka, president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. “We have strengthened our tribal governments and have initiated multiple efforts to continue our path to self-determination and self-governance. The formal recognition through this legislation is an historic step for us to have a successful relationship with the state.”
The bill is similar to an initiative intended to go to voters this fall; however, the bill and the initiative were substantially similar, eliminating the need for the ballot initiative.
