- Details
- By James Brooks - Alaska Beacon
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday, July 29 signed legislation that requires the State of Alaska to formally recognize its 229 federally recognized Native tribes.
Though the bill does not significantly change the relationship between the state and the sovereign tribal governments within its borders, Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel, said the measure is an “important first step toward healing and recognizing our past.”
The State of Alaska has historically opposed tribes’ efforts to exert sovereignty, denying their existence, Zulkosky said.
But in recent years, the state has begun relying on tribes to provide a variety of services, including public safety and education, in rural Alaska.
“How can the state talk about expanding relationships with tribes when it has never taken the most fundamental, basic step by recognizing them in our legal code?” Zulkosky said.
Sen. Gary Stevens and Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, sponsors of legislation on tribal education and on state recognition of tribes, hold up the bills signed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a July 28 ceremony at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The ceremony attracted a large crowd, including Native leader Emil Notti and Sen. Lyman Hoffman, standing on the stage with Stevens and Zulkosky. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Dunleavy called the bill a “significant milestone” and “a good day for all of us.”
After signing the recognition bill, he signed a separate piece of legislation that creates a tribal-state education compact that may encourage the growth of tribally operated schools.
“This is a historic opportunity to embrace our unique Alaska Native heritages, providing a means for local tribal governments to determine their own path for educating young Alaskans,” said Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak and the sponsor of the bill. “I’m proud to have contributed to and be a part of this historic occasion.”
Both bills were signed in an enthusiastic ceremony at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Tribal leaders, legislators and Alaska Native corporation leaders were on hand and praised both bills, which passed the House and Senate earlier this year by wide margins.
“The cultural survival of our Indigenous people is dependent on our ability to maintain our values, practice our traditions, and maintain freedom to live our lives well with dignity and respect for each other,” said Julie Kitka, president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. “We have strengthened our tribal governments and have initiated multiple efforts to continue our path to self-determination and self-governance. The formal recognition through this legislation is an historic step for us to have a successful relationship with the state.”
Shortly after the governor signed the tribal-recognition bill, Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer issued a formal statement saying that a tribal-recognition ballot measure will be removed from this fall’s general-election ballot.
Alaska’s constitution allows the cancelation of a ballot measure if the Legislature passes a substantially similar bill.
The audience at the July 28 ceremony for signing of bills on tribal recognition and establishing a system tribal-state compacting system for education applauds for Native leader Willie Hensley. Hensley was one of the speakers at the signing ceremony, held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Several legislators were in attendance. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
This story originally appeared at the Alaska Beacon. Republished by Native News Online under Creative Commons.
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher