Alaska Federation of Natives - 2006 Federal Priorities

Alaska Federation of Natives
1577 C Street, Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907.274.3611
Fax 907.276.7989

Julie Kitka
President

State Senator Albert Kookesh
Co-Chair
Sealaska Corporation

Tim Towarak
Co-Chair
Bering Straits Native Corporation

The following questions, though few in number, are critical to the success of our work.

Are we focused on growth, particularly private sector growth that can generate jobs?
Are we linking economic development with poverty reduction strategies?
Are we focused on accountability and results?
Are we sharing information, best practices, lessons learned and success stories?

Tribal Self-Governance Initiatives

AFN continues to support several tribal self-governance initiatives:

• DHHS Tribal Self-Governance Amendments: On June 16, 2004, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved an amended version of S.1696, which would amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to add a sixth title to the Act, authorizing a five-year demonstration project. Under the Demonstration Project, up to 50 tribes would be authorized to plan, conduct and administer programs with DHHS including programs within the Administration on Aging, the Administration for Children and Families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. The bill was ready for Senate consideration when the 108th Congress adjourned. AFN strongly supports amending the ISDEAA to allow for the contracting of programs within the DHHS, and urges the Congress to move forward with such legislation during the 109th Congress.

• Tribal Self-Governance Demonstration Project for non-BIA programs within the Department of Interior: On June 16, 2004, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee also approved a bill (S.1715) that would have amended the ISDEAA to add a fourth title to the Act for a Tribal Self-Governance Demonstration Project for non-BIA programs within the Department of the Interior. This bill died when the 108th Congress adjourned. On the House side, H.R. 1810, Alaska Federal Lands Management Demonstration Project Act, was introduced by Congressman Young. An identical bill passed out of House Resources during the 107th Congress (HR 4734), but died when Congress adjourned. The bill would expand Alaska Native contracting of federal land management functions and activities and promote hiring
of Alaska Natives by the federal government within Alaska. AFN urges the Congress to pass HR 1810, and requests that the Department of Interior lend its full support to its enactment. Enactment of this bill would further the Administration’s economic agenda of creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for Native Americans.

Return 2006 Federal Priorities

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