FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2025
Anchorage, Alaska — Anchorage, AK – The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), ANCSA Regional Association (ARA), and the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association (ANVCA) participated in a roundtable discussion with the House Committee on Natural Resources yesterday, Wednesday, August 27, at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, covering significant issues relevant to Alaska Native people.
The House Committee on Natural Resources has a broad jurisdiction that directly impacts Alaska Native communities, including through its Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. Committee Chair Rep. Bruce Westerman, joined by Vice Chairman Rob Wittman, Rep. Paul Gosar, Rep. Pete Stauber, Rep. Tom Tiffany, Rep. Harriet Hageman, Rep. Val Hoyle, Rep. Celeste Maloy, Rep. Sarah Elfreth, and Rep. Randall, traveled to Alaska.
“Engagement with Members of Congress is essential to ensure that the voices of Alaska Natives are heard regarding the management and stewardship of our lands and resources,” said Ben Mallott, AFN President. “Our traditional and cultural ways of life must be fully understood and respected by policymakers, and that means hearing directly from us. Alaska Native communities are best positioned to balance protecting our traditions and pursuing economic development for the benefit of future generations.”
This roundtable offered a chance to promote meaningful dialogue between Alaska Native leaders and key Members of Congress on important policies affecting our nation’s public lands, and the need to balance conservation, resource development, and other economic growth. Our organizations offer a special thank you to Rep. Nick Begich for bringing the Chairman and this bipartisan group of committee members to Alaska, ensuring that our communities’ voices are heard directly by those shaping national and Alaska policy.
“These roundtables are vital to helping policymakers understand the unique organizational structure created under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the role Alaska Native corporations play in that structure,” said Nicole Borromeo, ANCSA Regional Association President. “ANCSA is a living policy that must continue to adapt to meet the needs of our communities. Alaska Native people are best positioned to guide these changes, so the law remains a foundation for cultural strength, economic development, and the well-being of future generations.”
Participants in this roundtable shared their thoughts and questions during an informative and impactful discussion. Engaging in meaningful dialogue about Alaska’s natural resources is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of our environment and communities.
“ANVCA thanks Rep. Begich and the Committee for their swift work on H.R. 43 – the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025,” said Curtis McQueen, Executive Director of ANVCA. “Our communities are best positioned to determine the right use of our lands, and we welcome roundtables like these to continue educating policymakers on the uniqueness of our state and the land use policies that directly impact daily life in our villages.”
We also extend our gratitude to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for participating in the roundtable and underscoring the importance of rural Alaska health care to the long-term sustainability of our communities.
Together, these conversations highlight the strength and resilience of Alaska Native communities and the importance of working with policymakers to build a future that protects our ways of life while creating opportunities for future generations.
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About Alaska Federation of Natives:
AFN is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 176 federally recognized tribes, 143 village corporations, 11 regional corporations, and 11 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs. AFN is governed by a 38-member board, which is elected by its membership at the annual convention held each October.
About ANCSA Regional Association:
The ARA board of directors is composed of the presidents and chief executive officers of the twelve land-based Alaska Native regional corporations established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. ARA member corporations are owned by over 160,000 Alaska Native shareholders. Their purpose is to promote and foster the continued growth and economic strength of the Alaska Native regional corporations for the benefit of their Alaska Native shareholders and communities.
About Alaska Native Village Corporation Association:
The ANVCA was formed in 2010 to bring Chief Executive Officers of Alaska Native Village Corporations together to share their resources of village corporation success. ANVCA established its annual gathering as a collaborative village corporation event filled with professional training and advocacy in the areas of land, shareholder relations, government contracting, board development, and government relations.
Press contact: Nikki Stoops, nstoops@nativefederation.org