Alaska Native Government & Policy

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a federal law used in many Alaska adoption and child custody cases.

Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito were the lone justices to dissent. The decision represents a major victory for federal Indian law and tribes across the nation.

The issue relates to a 2020 incident when a sign posted at Juneau’s Fred Meyer stated that tribal IDs would not be accepted for tobacco sales.

Two large regional tribal entities resigned from the Alaska Federation of Natives earlier this month. That comes after three regional corporations dropped out over the past few years. What drives members to resign? What keeps them united?

Meanwhile, Gov. Mike Dunleavy introduced legislation last month to set up a state green bank.

The departures have raised questions about how AFN has handled internal disputes and the health of the organization, which was formed in 1966 to fight for Native land rights.