URL: https://www.indianz.com/News/archives/002166.asp

Friday, October 24, 2003

Former U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski (R) gave his first speech as governor to the Alaska Federation of Natives convention on Thursday.

Murkowski promoted efforts to develop natural resources, specifically oil and gas in Southwest Alaska, and roads in rural Alaska. He also said villages would receive their full amount of pass-through federal aid. The State Legislature had adopted a formula at kept villages from receiving the $40,000 Murkowski originally promised but the money is now available.

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich criticized state lawmakers for rejecting a subsistence amendment to ensure Native rights. He pledged to work with tribal leaders and corporation executives.

AFN awards were handed out yesterday. Two elders, Matilda "Tillie" Katherine Kushnick and John "Datu" Samuelson, received the Citizen of the Year honor. Myra Munson, a lawyer, received the Denali Award, AFN's highest for non-Natives.

Get the Story:
Governor stresses roads, not budget, at AFN event (The Anchorage Daily News 10/24)
Governor addresses Natives on Bristol Bay oil (AP 10/24)

Relevant Links:
Alaska Federation of Natives - http://www.nativefederation.org/flash.html

Related Stories:
Editorial: Alaska cannot afford full tribal sovereignty (10/23)
Stevens won't back away from Native funding issue (10/23)
Alaska Natives discuss village law enforcement (10/23)
Live coverage of AFN convention available (10/23)
Alaska Native: 'We became the other N-word' (10/21)
Alaska Natives meeting for annual conference (10/20)
Editorial: Stevens should apologize for remarks (10/13)
Murkowski won't offer opinion on Native riders (10/13)
Stevens blames sovereignty push on lower 48 group (10/9)
Stevens remarks on Alaska Natives draw fire (10/7)
Alaska Natives oppose limits to tribal court funding (09/23)
Alaska court hears suit on village law enforcement (09/18)
Bill cuts funds to Alaska tribal justice systems (09/10)
Alaska Natives debunk federal funding myths (05/07)
Stevens files Alaska Native gaming rider (01/24)
Alaska Natives press unity on sovereignty (10/25)
Stevens: Too many Alaska Native tribes (10/24)
AFN events kick off today in Anchorage (10/21)
GOP request has Alaska Natives fuming (1/28)
Stevens: 'Problem' with Alaska Natives (01/29)

All stories in the Indianz.Com Archive are available for publishing under a Creative Commons License: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)