Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act

This bill would allow Alaska Native residents in Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell to form urban corporations and receive specific land entitlements from the Department of the Interior. The legislation proposes conveying surface land and related infrastructure to these new urban corporations, while the subsurface rights would be transferred to the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. Additionally, the bill would permit these corporations to establish settlement trusts dedicated to promoting the health, education, and culture of their community members.

This bill affects Alaska Native residents of the Southeast Alaska communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, who are authorized to organize as urban corporations. The Department of the Interior and the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska are also affected through requirements to convey land and subsurface estates, respectively. Additionally, the legislation impacts beneficiaries of any settlement trusts established by these new urban corporations to support community health, education, and cultural preservation.

• Formation of Alaska Native Urban Corporations. Allows Alaska Native residents in the communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell to organize as urban corporations.
• Conveyance of Land Entitlements. Directs the Department of the Interior to transfer specified surface lands to the newly formed urban corporations and the corresponding subsurface estates to the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska.
• Transfer of Infrastructure and Interests. Requires that land conveyances include all U.S. interests in related roads, trails, log transfer facilities, leases, and appurtenances.
• Establishment of Settlement Trusts. Authorizes each urban corporation to create a settlement trust to support the health, education, and welfare of beneficiaries while preserving Alaska Native heritage and culture.

The bill expands the land entitlement and corporate organization framework for Alaska Native communities by authorizing five specific villages to form urban corporations and receive land conveyances, including subsurface estates for the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. It also utilizes existing legal structures allowing these corporations to establish settlement trusts for the benefit of their members and the preservation of native culture.

The bill seeks to provide land entitlements and formal recognition to five Alaska Native communities in Southeast Alaska by authorizing them to organize as urban corporations. It also aims to support the health, education, and cultural preservation of these communities by allowing the corporations to establish settlement trusts for their residents.