The Tatitlek Corporation (Tatitlek) proudly announces the successful completion of its land entitlements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) with today’s transfer of more than 8,760 acres from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the village corporation.
This milestone marks a significant moment for Tatitlek and its shareholders, affirming their rights to ancestral lands and resources as outlined in ANCSA more than five decades ago. In addition, the completion of this land transfer underscores the federal government’s commitment to honoring Native land claims and upholding the principles of self-determination for Alaska Native communities.
“We are thrilled to have reached this historic moment in our journey,” said Roy Totemoff, Tatitlek’s Chief Executive Officer. “The transfer of these lands was more than 50 years in the making. This effort, put forth by so many of our people and by many members of our government, stands as a testament to the resilience and perseverance of all who contributed to the completion of Tatitlek’s land selections.”
Sheri Buretta, Chairman of Chugach Alaska Corporation (Chugach) and Treasurer for the Tatitlek Board, added, “ANCSA establishes a unique partnership between village and regional corporations. This partnership ensures mutual benefits and shared responsibilities. Village corporations hold surface rights to lands. Simultaneously, regional corporations, like Chugach, retain subsurface rights, which encompass resources like minerals, oil, and natural reserves beneath the land’s surface.”
This partnership allows for a division of labor and expertise, ensuring that both village and regional corporations can leverage their respective strengths to drive sustainable economic development, resource management, and cultural preservation at a village and regional level.
“With today’s actions, Tatitlek has grown in size, and so has Chugach,” Buretta proudly stated. “It’s a great day for my village, and it’s a great day for the entire Chugach region.”
“It is a great day,” echoed Totemoff. “Sheri and I, and all at Tatitlek and Chugach extend our deepest gratitude to the Bureau of Land Management and their staff for their pivotal role in completing the land transfer. Our people have lived here for more than 5,000 years, and the documents that were signed today have secured our ancestral lands and paved the way for a prosperous future that honors our heritage and that will sustain our traditions and culture for generations and generations to come.”