Based On Your Reading In The Webtext, Select One Of The ✓ Solved

Based on your reading in the webtext, select one of the

Based on your reading in the webtext, select one of the following thesis statements: The Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANCSA) and the Native corporation system have been good for Alaska Natives, or ANCSA and the Native corporation system have been bad for Alaska Natives. Next, revise the statement you have chosen to reflect the complexity of the historical events surrounding this issue.

Provide specific examples of how ANCSA and the Native corporation system have had a positive or negative impact—or perhaps both—on Alaska Natives. Further illustrate the complexity of this issue by showing how the passage of ANCSA was contingent on at least three historical events or forces. In response to your peers, reflect on their revised statement. Describe the ways you find it shows the complexity of the event, and provide a suggestion for how they can further develop the statement or the supporting examples.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 and the subsequent establishment of Native corporations present a complex narrative regarding their impact on Alaska Natives. While initial interpretations of the Act heralded it as a monumental step toward empowering Alaska Natives economically and politically, a more nuanced perspective reveals that its consequences have been equally challenging. Therefore, a revised thesis could state: "ANCSA and the Native corporation system have instigated both positive economic opportunities and negative social ramifications for Alaska Natives," reflecting the multifaceted nature of its historical context.

One significant positive impact of ANCSA has been the economic development it fostered among Alaska Native communities. By facilitating the creation of regional and village corporations that could manage land and resources, ANCSA aimed to integrate Alaska Natives into the capitalist economy. For instance, the establishment of the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) led to numerous business ventures—including real estate, oil and gas production, and tourism—providing jobs and financial stability to Natives that were previously relegated to subsistence lifestyles. This ability to conduct business and manage resources represents a degree of autonomy and self-determination that was previously denied, marking a significant shift in the socio-economic landscape for many Alaska Natives.

However, the benefits of ANCSA are not unequivocal. The Act created a corporate structure that often prioritized profit over cultural preservation, posing serious challenges to traditional ways of life. One of the key negative impacts has been the erosion of communal land values and social cohesion within Native communities. For instance, the profit-driven motivations of the corporations sometimes conflict with the communal and cultural values prevalent among Alaska Natives. The disbursement of cash dividends from corporations has transformed intercommunity dynamics, leading to disparities in wealth and social envy, which diverges from the communal sharing ethos that traditionally characterizes Native societies. Furthermore, corporate decision-making processes often lack adequate representation or inclusivity of the voices and needs of all community members, particularly those from smaller or less powerful villages.

Understanding the historical contingencies surrounding ANCSA also provides insight into its complex ramifications. The passage of ANCSA was influenced significantly by three historical forces: the civil rights movement, the urgency of the Cold War, and the environmental conservation movement. The civil rights era of the 1960s laid the groundwork for recognizing the rights of marginalized groups, including Alaska Natives, compelling the U.S. government to address land claims and justice issues. Concurrently, the Cold War heightened the federal government's interest in utilizing the resources of the Alaska territory for military and energy needs, leading to a willingness to negotiate settlements with Native groups. Lastly, the growing environmental awareness during the same period also played a critical role, as emerging conservation movements prompted a need to balance development with environmental preservation, influencing how the Native corporations would approach their resource management. These forces coalesced to create an environment conducive to the passage of ANCSA, albeit with complex and sometimes conflicting outcomes for Alaska Natives.

In conclusion, the Alaska Native Regional Corporations and the Native corporation system present a dual narrative of opportunity and challenge for Alaska Natives. While ANCSA has undoubtedly opened doors for economic advancement, its societal and cultural impacts necessitate a broader understanding of its implications. The resulting complexities from the historical events surrounding ANCSA underscore not only its significance in shaping Alaska Native futures but also the continuation of debates surrounding identity, governance, and economic diversification in Indigenous communities today. Addressing these complexities will require ongoing dialogue and further exploration to see how best to facilitate healing and growth within Alaska Native societies.

References

• Berger, P. (2009). American Indian Law: A Survey of the History and Current Issues. New York: Cengage Learning.
• Calloway, C. G. (2012). American History: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Areas. (1991). Native American Land Claims. Anchorage: State of Alaska.
• Gordon, L. (2013). The More Things Change: A 40-Year Perspective on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Anchorage: Alaska Native Heritage Center.
• Hansen, E. (2017). The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act: The Nixon Administration and the 1971 Settlement. University of Alaska Press.
• International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. (2019). Indigenous World 2019. Copenhagen: IWGIA.
• Krauss, M. (2018). Alaska Native Corporations: The Role of ANCSA in Alaska’s Development. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Press.
• Memory, M. (2020). Cultural Resilience: Alaska Natives and the 20th Century. University of Washington Press.
• Racine, J. (2011). Land and Sustainability: Native Groups and the Environment in Alaska. Bellingham: Western Washington University Press.
• Smith, T. (2022). The Evolution of Alaska Native Corporations. Anchorage: Native American Rights Fund.