III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 577 

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Federation of Natives. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 

Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mr. SULLIVAN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Alaska 

Federation of Natives. 

Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives was established as 

the Alaska Federation of Native Associations at a historic 3-day meeting that began on October 18, 1966, 

which was the 99th anniversary of the transfer of Alaska 

from Russia to the United States; 

Whereas the establishment of the Alaska Federation of Natives as a statewide voice for the Alaska Native community was necessary— 

(1) to achieve a united stand relating to the settlement of Alaska Native land claims; and 

(2) to establish the Alaska Native community as a 

significant political force in the State of Alaska; 

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•SRES 577 ATS 

Whereas that 3-day initial meeting of the Alaska Federation 

of Natives, which was largely funded by Chief Albert 

Kaloa, Jr., of the Native Village of Tyonek, was— 

(1) chaired by Emil Notti, a 34-year-old Athabascan 

Indian from Ruby, Alaska, who served as president of the 

Cook Inlet Native Association; and 

(2) attended by approximately 250 individuals representing 17 Native Associations; 

Whereas the attendees of that first meeting of the Alaska 

Federation of Natives unanimously adopted the recommendations of a land claims committee chaired by 

Willie Hensley, including 3 fundamental recommendations that— 

(1) a land freeze be imposed on the transfer of all 

Federal land until Alaska Native land claims were resolved; 

(2) Congress enact legislation to enable settlement of 

the Alaska Native land claims; and 

(3) the Federal Government engage in substantial 

consultation with Alaska Natives, including holding congressional hearings in the State of Alaska, before any action was taken on Alaska Native land claims settlement 

legislation; 

Whereas in early 1967, a second meeting of the Alaska Federation of Natives was held at which— 

(1) the name of the organization was changed to the 

Alaska Federation of Natives; 

(2) Flore Lekanof, an Aleut from St. George, Alaska, was elected chairman; and 

(3) Emil Notti was elected president; 

Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives diligently pursued 

legislation for the settlement of Alaska Native land 

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claims, assisted by eminent legal experts, including 

former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the 

United States Arthur J. Goldberg and former Attorney 

General Ramsey Clark; 

Whereas in 1970, the Yakima Nation provided critical financial support, in the form of a substantial loan to the 

Alaska Federation of Natives, to the effort to settle Alaska Native land claims; 

Whereas on December 18, 1971, with the enactment of the 

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et 

seq.), the Alaska Federation of Natives achieved victory 

in its goal of settling Alaska Native land claims; 

Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives led a successful effort to enact the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 

Amendments of 1987 (43 U.S.C. 1601 note; Public Law 

100–241) (commonly known as the ‘‘1991 Amendments’’), which amended the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); 

Whereas for 50 years, the Alaska Federation of Natives has 

effectively represented the interests of the Alaska Native 

community on a broad range of significant issues, including Alaska Native self-governance, subsistence, economic 

development, human development, public safety, and the 

interests of Alaska Native elders and Alaska Native 

youth; 

Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives continues to be 

the principal forum and voice of Alaska Natives in dealing with critical issues of public policy and government; 

Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives will conduct its 

50th anniversary convention from October 20 through 

22, 2016, at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska; 

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Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives convention is the 

largest representative annual gathering of Native peoples 

in the United States and the largest convention in the 

State of Alaska; and 

Whereas the theme of the Alaska Federation of Natives 2016 

convention is ‘‘50 Years: Reflect, Refresh, Renew’’, 

which— 

(1) reflects on the challenges, innovations, and successes of the Alaska Native community over the past 50 

years; 

(2) refreshes collective accomplishments, achievements, and aspirations; and 

(3) renews the commitment and dedication of the 

Alaska Federation of Natives to enriching the future of 

Native peoples: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the Alaska Federation of Natives 

3 on its 50th anniversary; 

4 (2) commends the past and present officers, 

5 board members, delegates, and staff of the Alaska 

6 Federation of Natives for 50 years of dedication to 

7 the advancement of the Native peoples of the State 

8 of Alaska; and 

9 (3) congratulates the Alaska Federation of Na10 tives on 50 years of enhancing and promoting the 

11 cultural, economic, and political voice of the entire 

12 Alaska Native community. 

Æ 

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