“[SBA 8(a) opportunities] give tribes that don’t have an opportunity to game real ability to go into the marketplace and compete and to develop the skills they need to be successful.”  ~ Tom Cole (R-OK), U.S. Committee on Natural Resources, Hearing on “Diversifying Native Economies,” September 19, 2007.

History & Benefits of the Afognak Alutiiq People »
"Afognak Native Corporation is part of the Alutiiq Nation, and the Alaska Native people indigenous to the Kodiak Island Archipelago, who have inhabited the Kodiak Archipelago for over 7,500 years..." Download Article »

Alaska Native Corporation Contracting Briefing Packet Available »
The Native American Contractors Association has developed a brief packet of materials explaining Alaska Native Corporation participation in federal contracting, putting our participation into historical perspective, and discussing the benefits we bring to the Alaska Native people. Download Packet »

Federal Contracting Support for Alaska Natives’ Market Integration »
Native Nations Law & Policy Center UCLA School of Law: "A primary goal of US policy is that ANCs will help alleviate poverty and economic and social disadvantage among Alaska Natives. Alaska Natives continue to endure high rates of poverty, low per capita incomes, lower levels of education, many health problems, and many social problems such as high suicides (three times the rate of other Alaskans), high rates of crime, and incarceration. These conditions are exacerbated by the decline of local subsistence economies, and loss of access to land and resources..."
Download UCLA Report »

Afognak Native Corp. Testifies at House Natural Resources Committee »
September 19, 2007 ~ Sarah Lukin: "My family is living proof of the positive impact an Alaska Native corporation’s participation in the 8(a) program has had on our village. It isn’t a hand out, it’s a hand up. I worked hard for everything I have. 8(a) gave me the fortitude to fight my way out of poverty - to achieve my dreams. It unlocked my potential: my family, my community and the local Alaskan economy have all benefited as a result..." Full Lukin Testimony »

Alaska Federation of Natives Testifies at House Natural Resources Com. »
September 19, 2007 ~ Julie Kitka: "We in Alaska, live in a homeland full of potential. We need your continued attention and support to ensure that all our Native people have the opportunity to fulfill the promises of both our land settlement and as citizens of
the United States, living in the strongest, most powerful country in the world..."
Full Kitka Testimony »

Native American Contractors Assc. Testifies at House Natural Resources »
September 19, 2007 ~ Greg DuMontier: "Remarkably, amid the widespread poverty and social distress found in Indian Country, there are increasingly signs of hope and examples of Tribes and Alaska Natives making strides in building strong communities and economies. For example, there are many stories of struggle, such as, the village of Chenega Bay that survived an earthquake and tsunami and rebuilt twenty years later only to be devastated by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. A village member, said that her generation 'had even forgotten the word in their native language for hope.'"...
Full DuMontier Testimony »

Harvard Testifies at House Natural Resources Committee Hearing »
September 19, 2007 ~ Professor Taylor: "As you are aware, American Indian and Alaska Native economic fortunes have lagged substantially behind those of other Americans. On reservations and in remote rural Alaska, especially, unemployment is high, poverty is high and incomes are low. Declining federal funding, remote markets, challenges attracting educated members, barriers to capital investment, and many other problems frustrate Native economic growth..."
Full Taylor Testimony »  Full Taylor Report »

Native 8(a) Program Procurement Details »
February 7, 2007 ~ The Native 8(a) Program represents a very small portion of the federal procurement pie but has lasting effects on indigenous communities as we work together to build Native economies. This data, gathered by the
Native American Contractors Association, breaks down federal procurement
spending by program and socio-economic groups. Full Story »

Native 8(a) Contracting Achieves Congressional Goal »
On April 27, 2006, the Government Accountability Office released a report on Alaska Native Corporations participation in federal contracting. The report urges additional SBA oversight to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the 8(a) program and states the program is working exactly as Congress intended it to –ANCs are building viable businesses and bringing benefits back to Alaska Native people. Download Report »

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law on December 18, 1971.  ANCSA was a contract between Alaska Natives and the federal government. In exchange for ceding almost all claims to Alaska’s territory, the government promised to promote a long-term revenue stream and help Alaska Natives overcome barriers to economic development in rural Alaska.

Video is excerpt from Chugach Alaska Corporation’s video “8(a): It’s Working”

Media Relations
Sarah L. Lukin,
Director of External Relations
Afognak Native Corporation and Alutiiq, LLC
3909 Arctic Blvd., Suite 400
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
907-222-9500 Phone
907-317-4791 Cell
907-222-9501 Fax
slukin@alutiiq.com