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What is a positive way Native corporations have impacted the Native communities in Alaska? "Native corporations are an essential part of the survival of Native communities within Alaska. They are essential because they offer solidarity, political power and voice for Native communities and Native rights. Throughout my employment with the ASRC family of companies (as early as 1984) ASRC has worked hard to improve the lives of shareholders and their families. ASRC has established hiring practices that give preference in hiring shareholders and their spouses. This hiring practice benefits shareholders and their families economically and many times providing employment to village residents who may be facing high unemployment levels in their own villages due to cuts in federal or state funded programs. The oil field support and construction companies often hire shareholders that reside in villages giving them a work alternative so they don’t have to leave the village to support their family. For example, ASRC companies that earn federal contracts with work in a village will employ shareholders or other village residents instead of hiring out-of-towners. Large corporations, like Northrop Grumman, typically import their own work crews versus hiring locals.” Janet Mazzola Director of Special Projects ASRC Federal Holding Company What do you think in the near future is going to be the most important issues facing you and your family? "I think for the last millennia, the most important issue that has faced my people is our right to succeed and live our way of life while still growing in western corporate mainstream American society. So often what happens with Native American people and Alaska Native people is they assimilate or die mentality and it seems like Alaska Native and Native Americans are continuously struggling for our right to not only lead our lifestyle or traditional lifestyle and retain our traditional beliefs, but also succeed in mainstream western America. And so, have we succeeded in that, no but we are probably going to be fighting for it the rest of our lives, the rest of my life. And so for the most important issue facing, I would think that would be it. Our ability to maintain our traditional beliefs, our traditional lifestyles, while being able to compete and therefore survive in mainstream American culture.” Shauna Hegna Deputy Director RurAL CAP There have been some organizations in the lower 48 who have spoken out against Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and tribes having operations outside of their communities. What kind of response would you give to someone who says you can’t operate outside the State of Alaska? These government contracting companies are not only hiring Alaska Natives, they’re hiring capable people in the areas they are located in and driving business across the board, not just for Alaska Natives. Tyan Selby Executive Director Koniag Education Foundation "Alaska Native and Native American tribes have a government to government relationship; they absolutely have the right to work outside their borders, whether that be the borders of their land or their community. And so you have an Alaska Native or Native American tribe that has a contract, they can certainly work inside their reservation or their tribal government, but they can absolutely work inside other countries, other territories, other states. Because they have a right as a government.” Shauna Hegna Deputy Director RurAL CAP |
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