Setting the record straight about the YK Regional Tribal Government

by James Akeralrea

Dear Tribal leaders of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region,

I have followed with interest the discussion amongst our people about the Yukon-Kuskokwim Regional Tribal Government (“Y-K RTG”), of which I am the elected President. We share a common goal of improving the lives of our people and protecting our lands and natural resources. However, I have heard a number of misconceptions about the Y-K RTG and I write to you to set the record straight.

First, and most importantly, I want to assure you that the Y-K RTG has no intention of taking away any federal money currently utilized by the Tribes of the Region. In fact, the RTG Council has passed a resolution prohibiting us from pursuing federal funding at the expense of our Tribes. We are here to help and support our communities and our Region as a whole. There are similar regional Tribes in other parts of Alaska – like the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida – that do good things for their people. We want to do the same for our people. We want to unite the region in a way that does not disturb the region’s Tribes or non-profits associations.

Second, I am disappointed that an organization such as AVCP – which shares the same goal of serving our region and our people – has chosen not to support us. Non-profits should stand with Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, not against them. Out of the fifty-six (56) Tribal governments in our region, sixteen (16) of them have currently expressed their support for the RTG. We are dedicated to working with our Tribes and the regional nonprofits. But the RTG constitution is clear – we have limited authority to focus on such issues as promoting regional public safety and protecting our regional natural resources – responsibilities of no existing Tribe.

More than fifty years have passed since the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). While we honor and appreciate the lifelong efforts of our past leaders in advocating for our communities, the challenges of colonization are still impacting our people today. Recognizing that ANCSA and current conditions are far from perfect, we are committed to empowering and uplifting our Tribes and our people. Accordingly, it’s important to address some misconceptions and misinformation about the Y-K RTG:

1. A regional tribal government is not a new concept. Our Elders have discussed for years the formation of a regional tribal government. Early talks date back decades with more recently efforts to form the Yupiit Nation and the Nunavut Alaska Provisional Government.

2. The RTG does not and will not interfere with the sovereignty of Tribes. The Y-K RTG was created with a specific focus – to establish regional Tribal governance and offer region-wide government services that are not currently being well-provided, such as region-wide infrastructure development. I want you to know that the Tribes that partner with the Y-K RTG retain all their sovereign rights. To ensure that the Y-K RTG never oversteps, the Y-K RTG is limited by its Constitution — “[n]othing contained in this Constitution shall be construed to limit the sovereignty of any Tribal government within the Region without its consent.” [1] Furthermore, the RTG Council has passed a resolution stating that it will not take away funding from the region’s Tribal governments. (Appendix B). We are about collaboration, not competition, and if we do nothing, we get nothing.

3. The Y-K RTG complements, not threatens, regional non-profit associations. Non-profits are organized under state law. While they provide essential services, they lack the legal authority to perform certain governmental roles, such as forming a regional police force. The Y-K RTG, on the other hand, seeks to address gaps that neither the 56 tribes, the Calista Corporation, or non-profits can fill. If we continue the path that we are on, without a regional tribal government, we will continue to have the same results. Therefore, we are focused on strengthening our Tribes, providing region-wide services that aren’t already being provided, and bringing in investment dollars for region-wide infrastructure.

4. The Y-K RTG is receiving temporary funding from the Calista Corporation, but that funding will end upon federal recognition. Part of Calista’s core mission is to improve the social well-being of the people of the region. We are glad that Calista has financially supported the RTG effort thus far, but this support is temporary. We must remember that it was our Elders and leaders who, in 2013, asked Calista for help. Our people were facing high rate of suicide, and we had no one else to turn to. Since then, the decision to form a regional tribal government has been steered by a democratic process where our people vote directly for the RTG leadership.

5. Activities of the Y-K RTG. We have made significant strides in a short amount of time for the betterment of our Tribal citizens. Since formation, the Y-K RTG has successfully advocated for a $1 million base payment of American Rescue Plan Act funding for each Tribe. Additionally, we’ve aided our communities during Typhoon Merbok, helped obtain State of Alaska funding for the Napaimute Ice Road Crew, and hosted Y-K Roundtables to address the concerns of our Tribes and stakeholders. I was also awarded the First Lady Volunteer Award for my time supporting communities with Typhoon Merbok reclamations. We are not stopping here, staff and Y-K RTG Councilmembers along with myself are working on securing funds and technical support for Emergency Response Planning and Operations for the Y-K, along with other priority issues to improve the quality of life for our people.

We thank you for your time and we ask for your continued support and faith as we navigate our ancestor’s dreams and are guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the strength of our communities. We look forward to working closely with each one of you to further our shared mission. Please contact me or any of the RTG Council members if you have questions. Quyana.

James Akerelrea

President

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