Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act

The Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), enacted in 1971, was a landmark law designed to resolve land claims by Alaska Native groups following statehood. It established native corporations to manage nearly 44 million acres of land and provided $962 million in compensation. The act aimed to recognize the land rights of Alaska Natives, promote economic self-sufficiency, and encourage development while preserving their cultural practices. ANCSA was significant in changing the relationship between the U.S. government and Alaska Natives, marking a shift from outright dispossession to formal acknowledgment of their rights and interests.