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MONDAY, JULY 16, 2001

Alaska Governor Tony Knowles (R) will make a decision this week on whether he will appeal the landmark Katie John Native subsistence case to the Supreme Court.

To come to a decision, he has been meeting with lawmakers and Native leaders. Alaska Natives say he'll appeal the case if lawmakers agree to call a special session and amend the state's constitution to allow for a rural subsistence preference.

The current constitution prohibits any preferences for any citizen: rural, Alaska Native, or otherwise. But the Katie John decision affirmed a rural preference, resulting in the federal government taking over a number of waterways in the state to ensure protection of Alaska Native rights.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in May affirmed the decision after a re-hearing. The authors of the opinion criticized the court for agreeing to re-hear the case, saying it was a waste of time and a questionable exercise of their judicial powers.

Get the Story:
Knowles' compromise on Katie John a tough sell (The Anchorage Daily News 7/15)

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Katie John case having effects (5/11)
Alaska Native subsistence case upheld (5/8)
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