The Wrangell sentinel., 1944-09-15
TBIIR0UGH THaE
 SEN TINlElL
 PERIgCQPE

Probably nothing in recent years has kicked up as much dis cnssion in this section of Alaska as the Indian claims hearings the first one of which opened today at Hvdaburg to be followed by one at KlaWock on September 20 and another at Rake September D. In diaus of these communities claim exclusive rights 10 certain fishing areas in Hheir respective sections on grounds that their aboriginal rights were not and have not been extinguished at the time of or since the purchase Of Alaska from Russia. Interior Department has heard their plea and scheduled the hearings under the regulations for The protection of commercial fish cries of Alaska Those who are not members of the three Indian groups involved have taken up the War tomahawk to protect their inter ests in the areas effected with the result that dozen angles have popped up. all Of which are fairly sure to lead to long, drawn out legal entanglements.
 Outstanding feature of the cases are that virtually everyone in Yolved, including some portions Of the Interior Department. appears 10 be a little apprehensive as to what it is all about. It's no secret that the fisheries division of the de-
 a [ @ the hearings are being held is very lukewarm on the whole thing, if not outright opposed to reserving lands for any special groups. Other ranking officials in the department have urged upon Secretary Iekes a further investigation and more careful study before proceeding Apparently big supporter of the scheme is the Indian Office which is within the department.
 Second outstanding feature prob- ably is attitude of the Indians themselves many of whom were of the original idea they were to get some cash if they made claims on grounds of aboriginal rights. They had heard about the wealthy In dians of Oklahoma and other places demanding from Uncle Sam and getting a cash settlement. Many thought that if the famed abori-. ginal right was negotiable VII! not turn it in for cash. Now they see no cash in the offing, only the possibility of the exclusive right to catch fish in some stream wherel their ancestors used to fish and maybe have to eat the fish. Many Indians, too. are dubious of the reserved area idea, toying with the thought that one of these days they might become reservation In dians. thus losing their rights as. full citizens.
 Whites in the areas effected na- turally enough are mp in arms to. protect their interests. They vision themselves being busted and their possessions turned over to the In dians. Others not directly affected see the establishment of reserved Indian areas in these sections as. the beginning of grab of every thing in the Territory for the na- tive population.
 Fact is that some legal minds are convinced the Indians have good case on aboriginal rights. They concede that if the reserved area idea was carried to its nth" power most of southeastern Alaska would be turned over to the ln- dians. They admit there is no evi- denee that the aboriginal right was ever extinguished. However, and they stress this point, the aborigin- al right provided no exclusive right for the commercial use Of salmon. Ia other words. the an- cestral Indian caught his fish for his own use and that of his fam fly. Time has preserved no special right to sell the fish. Therefore, should the claims be allowed nothing short of a supreme court decision will settle the commercial angle. Could it be that this is the source of that term. a swell bucket of fish?"