Alexander Creek is an Alaska Native village in Southcentral Alaska that has been occupied by Athabascan, Yup’ik, and Unangan peoples for generations. However, our land was stolen.
For nearly 50 years, we have fought in vain for our rights under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to be restored. Land that should be growing and providing for our families and communities has been given to the State of Alaska and other non-Native parties. Now is the time for our historic Indigenous community to be recognized and for our village to receive its land claims settlement. Now is the time for the federal government to right this horrific wrong.
Right now, Congress has legislation under consideration that would give Alexander Creek back its village status. Now, more than ever, we need the support of our Indigenous and non-Indigenous friends, relatives and neighbors.
Now is the time for our historic Indigenous community to be recognized and for our village to receive its land claims settlement.
Overview
December 1973
Bureau of Indian Affairs Confirms Our Village Status.
Under the terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), representatives of Alexander Creek properly and timely applied to be certified as a Village under that Act. On December 21, 1973, the Bureau of Indian Affairs determined that Alexander Creek was an eligible village under section 11(b)(3) of that law, based on the agency’s certification that more than the requisite number of Alaska Natives were properly enrolled to Alexander Creek to qualify for Village Corporation status.
November 1974
Village Status Revoked.
Later, a federal review panel called the Alaska Native Claims Appeals Board acting in secrecy, overruled the BIA decision. The panel asserted that Alexander Creek lacked the requisite number of enrollees by two (2) individuals, which revoked our village status and did so without providing an opportunity for certified enrollees to be heard and counted. The United States District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later invalidated the panel’s determination because it violated the law by acting in secret.
November 1975
U.S. Department of the Interior is Instructed by the Court to Reinstate Village Status, but Doesn't.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals instructed the Secretary of the Interior to correct the enrollment "error" and reinstate Alexander Creek's village status. This correction was never made. Instead, Alexander Creek was certified under a provision of law as a Group Corporation with less entitlement under ANCSA. This error was then compounded by enactment of a section in law which ratified, erroneously, the Group Corporation status. Why does this matter? Certified villages through ANCSA are entitled to 69,120 acres of land. Group corporations may get a couple of thousand.
Today
We're Still Here.
What’s perhaps the most heart-wrenching is watching our Elders pass on while we continue to fight for justice. All we want is for our community, Alexander Creek, to also benefit from the original purpose and intent of ANCSA and the valid determination by the Bureau of Indian Affairs that Alexander Creek qualifies as an Alaska Native village. Congress is currently considering legislation that would do just this. Show your support by reaching out to your representative today and sign-up to receive updates on our bill.
Video Clip One: Unresolved Land Issues
Alexander Creek, Inc. President Stephanie Thiele Thompson addresses the delegation at the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Conference in 2019.
Video Clip Two: Congressman Young on Alexander Creek
The late Congressman Don Young offers his unwavering support for Alexander Creek and recognizes ACI President Stephanie Thompson’s continued efforts to pass legislation.
Our Bill
We Need Your Support
Show your support in just three easy steps:
1. Find your U.S. representatives here. https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
2. Draft an email. Not sure what to write? Feel free to copy and paste the message below into an email or customize it as you see fit.
3. Hit send and track our bill’s progress here. https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Dear (Representative),
I’m pledging my support for Alexander Creek to be reinstated as a certified Village under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), bills H.R. 9295 and S. 5077 : To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Alexander Creek, Inc. is recognized as a Village Corporation under that Act, and for other purposes.
ANCSA is arguably the most important piece of legislation to impact Alaska, settling aboriginal land claims with the U.S. Government. During this process, Alexander Creek was illegally downgraded from a Village to a certified Group Corporation, removing the community’s right to land and opportunity for its people.
As your constituent, I kindly request that you join me in supporting Alexander Creek and the First Peoples of Alaska, when this bill comes across your desk.
Regards,
(Name here)
Contact
For more information on Alexander Creek, or to connect with us, please contact Alexander Creek, Inc.
President Stephanie Thompson | (907) 242-0263 or aci@gmail.com
