Haaland leaves Alaska Native leaders proud, worried
Natural resource development has pulled many out of poverty
As Alaska Native people with deep ties to the land over which the Department of the Interior (DOI) has jurisdiction, we are immensely proud of Rep. Deb Haaland’s confirmation as secretary. We are also nervous.
In so many ways, Alaska is different from the rest of the nation. This is not a bad thing or an accident. Indeed, policymakers learned from mistakes made in the Lower 48 about how to manage Indian Country. We are proud to have broken the mold when it comes to the land and water rights of our Native Alaska people. We did it right. That also means that we do not fit neatly into any category. Our issues require adherence to unique laws and practices that do not apply to the rest of the country.
Two landmark laws in particular guide us in Alaska. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) were watershed pieces of legislation that provided Alaska Native people with more rights and control over Native lands than tribes in the Lower 48. Both laws were meant to empower Native communities to survive and thrive, while providing for responsible use of the land to support our people.
Unfortunately, many of the promises made to Alaska Native people in both ANCSA and ANILCA have been willfully broken — one of the tragic similarities Alaska Natives share with Indian Country. We must constantly defend the rights clearly provided to us in law from people who do not understand the novel approach Alaska decided to take in managing Native land. Haaland will play a prominent role in when and how these laws are enforced.
To say President Biden got off to a bad start in this area is an understatement. In his first few days of office, he promised to consult with Native Americans and Native Alaskans on issues affecting them, then issued sweeping policy changes without any consultation at all. We are the Indigenous people who live in the areas impacted by his decisions, and these early actions leave us to question how Biden’s choice for secretary of the Interior will navigate under challenging circumstances.
It is critical Haaland be transparent and clarify her approach to this dilemma. Will she take the time to educate herself about Alaska Native people and the unique laws that govern us? Given the long, sad record of federal overreach in dealing with our people, we struggle to be optimistic. Alaska Native people from across the state should be concerned about Haaland’s record of open hostility toward natural resource development and the industries that have contributed to lifting so many of us in Alaska out of poverty into a life of self-determination.
Despite our concerns, we pledge to work with the secretary in a productive, cooperative manner. Make no mistake, however, we will hold her accountable for her actions, and if her decisions adversely impact our people, we will speak up loudly and publicly.