Stevens: 'Problem' with Alaska Natives

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2002

Former Assistant Secretary Ada Deer misinterpreted Congressional intent when she recognized more than 200 Alaska Native tribes and village governments, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said on Monday.

During a visit to Fairbanks, Stevens told reporters there was a "problem" with the federal status of the tribes and villages. He said he supported a Republican-led push in Alaska to have their recognition reconsidered.

"We did not decide that every place with 25 or more people was a tribe," he is quoted as saying. "She decided that every village was a tribe. There was no historical basis for that finding."

Alaska Native leaders have been in an uproar since the request was made.

Get the Story:
Senator backs GOP tribal status inquiry (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 1/29)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Ted Stevens - http://stevens.senate.gov

Related Stories:
GOP request has Alaska Natives fuming (1/28)