Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)
By Alexandra J. McClanahan
CIRI Historian

In 1971 the push for oil development, the state's desire to get the land promised to it under the Statehood Act and the Alaska Natives’ efforts to save their land paid off with what would become the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, known as ANCSA. For four long years spirited debate had focused on just how much land and cash the Alaska Natives would be granted for the settlement of their claims. The final bill that emerged promised 44 million acres and $1 billion in cash.