Selected Dates in the Campaign for the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 1961-1971

1961

State land selections threaten continued use of lands in Minto area.

1961

Inupiat Paitot meets to discuss protections of aboriginal rights.

1962

“Tundra Times” is established.

1963

Proposed Rampart Dam protested by Stevens Village and other Yukon River villages.

Alaska Task Force calls upon Congress to define Native land rights.

1966

Statewide conference leads to organization of Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN).

Interior Secretary Stewart Udall imposes a “land freeze” to protect Native use and occupancy.

1967

First bills introduced in Congress to settle Native land claims.

Native protests and claims to land reach 380 million acres.

1968

Alaska Land Claims Task Force, established by Governor Hickel, recommends 40 million-acre land settlement.

Governmental study effort (Alaska Natives and the Land) asserts Native land claims to be valid.

1969

North Slope oil lease auction produces $900 million for the State of Alaska.

1970

A land claims bill is passed by the Senate, but Natives are disappointed in its land provisions.

1971

Bills pass both houses of Congress, but differences in them require conference committee: its compromise version passes both houses.

Following acceptance by the AFN convention, President Nixon signs the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (P.L. 92-203) on December 18.

Taken from Robert Arnold, 1978,
Alaska Native Land Claims, p.97