Native Allotments
AFN requests that the 1998 Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Allotment Act and the 1906 Alaska Native Allotment Act be amended to allow more allotments for Native Veterans and to reopen the allotments closed in Southeast Alaska under the decision in Shields v. U.S., 698 F.2d 987 (9th Cir. 1983). To date, not one Native allotment applied for by an Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran has been certified by the BLM due to restrictions in the current law and the lack of available land. Amendments to the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Allotment Act to make some corrections in the situation are contained in HR 1811, but that bill does not reopen the allotments closed under Shields and no similar legislation has yet been introduced in the U.S. Senate. The amendments to reopen the allotments closed under Shields is necessary to serve basic justice by correcting the unfair distribution of allotments in Southeast Alaska which occurred by actions of the federal government. AFN urges Congress to amend HR 1811 to address the allotments closed under Shields, and to act on this important legislation during this Congress.
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