ANCSA

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), passed in 1971, was a law that resolved long-standing land and resource disputes between Alaska Native tribes and the U.S. government. It transferred about 44 million acres of land and nearly $1 billion to Alaska Native corporations, providing economic opportunities and recognition of Native rights. Instead of establishing reservations, ANCSA created regional and village corporations to manage these lands and resources, aiming to promote economic development, preserve Native cultures, and resolve land claims efficiently. It significantly shaped the legal and economic landscape for Alaska Natives.