Alaska Native Government & Policy

The House voted 25 to 14 to condemn Eastman for saying some women – including those who live in villages — are glad to become pregnant so they can receive Medicaid-funded travel to have abortions.

Leaders within the organization, which represents more than 30,000 Tlingit and Haida people, had piles of unflattering adjectives to characterize Eastman’s comments, including “venomous,” “indefensible” and “demonizing.”

The Alaska Federation of Natives is keeping a close eye on the new administration of President Donald Trump. The Native organization’s board is developing ways to negotiate with the current government in Washington, participate in decision making, and advance Alaska Native priorities.

James Hart received the Emerging Leader award at the annual tribal assembly. Hart is a Central Council delegate and a tribal council member at the Haines-based Chilkoot Indian Association.

The Alutiiq Museum is scoping out a site to bury ancestral remains that returned to the island in February. The internment would be the end of the ancestors’ long journey.

Eastman hasn’t backed down from comments he made earlier this week. He said “rather than taking the word of my constituents or my word that we have a hearing to delve into how our funds are currently being used.”