Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 resolved land and financial rights for Alaska Native peoples. It ended their land claims to vast areas of Alaska by transferring about 44 million acres and $962.5 million to new Native corporations, instead of land grants. These corporations, owned by Alaska Native shareholders, manage the land and funds, promoting economic development and cultural preservation. ANCSA was a groundbreaking agreement that provided Native communities with resources and self-determination, helping to address longstanding disputes over lands and rights while fostering Native economic growth.