The Alaska Senate passed legislation to formally recognize tribes in Alaska, which supporters say is an overdue step that would create opportunities for the state and tribes to work together.
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Kenai, left, smiles as Barbara Blake, Liz Medicine Crow and Richard Petersen give a group hug in the Senate chamber after the passage of HB123 to recognize state tribes at the Capitol in Juneau on Friday, May 13, 2022. The three co-sponsored a citizen initiative on the subject.
If the bill is enacted, its passage would likely bump from this year’s ballot a similar tribal recognition initiative, according to a memo from a legislative attorney. Initiatives that qualify for the ballot can be preempted if the Legislature passes substantially similar legislation first. If the bill were to stall, however, and not pass — the regular session is set to end on Wednesday — the initiative still would be on the ballot.
“Without a strong foundation between governments it’s like building on sand — trust is temporary, relationships erode quickly, and efficiencies that are collaboratively achieved are unsustainable,” according to the ballot group.Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, a Bethel Democrat, sponsored the bill, HB123. There are more than 220 federally recognized tribes in Alaska.
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