Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

Between the arrival of Russia in 1741 and Russia’s 1867 treaty sale of Alaska to the U.S., Russia continually attempted to conquer and rule Alaska Natives. The U.S. then made Alaska a military district. The 1867 treaty between the U.S. and Russia was made without tribal consultation and without regard to Native land rights. U.S. statehood in 1959 and the desire to build a Trans-Alaska oil pipeline in 1968 pressed the issue of settling Native land claims, still held through Aboriginal title.

In 1971 the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act purchased the land and established 12 regional Alaska Native Corporations and 200 village corporations to control land and assets. Alaska Natives continue to develop institutions and programs to protect language and culture.

Additional Resources

• Original Signed Treaty Between the United States and Russia for the Purchase of the Alaska Territory with English and French Texts, 1867
  • Transcript and classroom materials
• Alaska Purchase Treaty, Czar's Ratification, 1867
• Check to Russian Minister for the Purchase of Alaska, 1868
• Additional historical documents and teaching resources (Including from US National Archives, compiled by Library of Congress)
• Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) at 50: How Alaska Natives Won the Land Claims Battle
• The Purchase of Alaska: 1867 or 1971 (Alaska Historical Society)
• Sealaska Heritage Institute

Treaties Trading Card

• Treaties Trading Card #6, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act