Alaska Native hearing turns testy
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2002

Last Updated: 11:50 a.m. EDT.

An angry Alaska Congressman blasted the Department of Interior today for failing to implement decades-old mandates regarding Alaska Natives.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) slammed department representatives who were opposing bills he introduced. He first complained that their testimony was only received last night instead of two days in advance per committee rules.

"I'm getting tired of you passing the buck," he said. "This is not the way to run the ship."

He then questioned why directives to contract and employ more Alaska Natives at national parks weren't implemented. "This is 30 years later . . . and it hasn't happened," he said.

"Christ, christ, christ," Young could be heard exclaiming in the background as department officials -- including Paul Hoffman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks -- tried to explain their disagreements with the parks bill and another to allow Native veterans to apply for 160-acre land allotments because they missed a deadline while serving in the Vietnam War.

"You talked about forked tongues," he said, "the land they [the veterans] are picking used to be long to their forefathers."

Also opposing the bill was Jack Hession of the Sierra Club in Alaska. Young chastised him for suggesting Alaska Native regional and village corporations provide land for the veterans.

"I'm not going to argue with you," responded Young.

"The first panel is excused," he finally said.

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