Alaska Native Claim Settlement Act

The Alaska Native Claim Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 was a law that resolved land claims of Alaska Native people. It transferred about 44 million acres of federal land to private Native corporations, providing them with resources to promote economic development and cultural preservation. In return, Native tribes relinquished their claims to the land and received financial compensation. The act aimed to settle long-standing disputes, promote self-sufficiency, and integrate Native communities into economic life, while also protecting their cultural heritage and providing a foundation for their future development.