The proposed regulations for preparing a roll of Alaska Natives eligible to share in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of December 18, 1971, were issued today by Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton.
Louis R. Bruce, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, pointed out that the Native Claims Act provides for settlement of awards totaling $962.5 million and 40 million acres of land, and ends a struggle which had been pending since the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867.
"Alaska Natives" who may be eligible for enrollment must be:
1) Citizens of the United States.
2) At least one- fourth degree Eskimo, Aleut 'or Alaskan Indian blood, or combination thereof (including Tsimshian Indians whose Native Alaska ancestry predates the treaty of March 30, 1867, and who are not enrolled in the Metlakatla Indian Community).
3) Born on or before December 18, 1971, and living on that date.
The proposed regulations prescribe rules for preparation of the roll and establish March 30, 1973, as the deadline to apply for enrollment. The regulations also define "permanent resident" of Alaska for the purpose of determining in which geographical region an eligible Native shall be enrolled.
Interested persons may submit their views and comments on the proposed regulations to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1951Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20242, on or before March 5, 1972.
Applications for enrollment will be available from a newly created Enrollment Coordinating Office, (Kaloa Building, 16th & C Streets), Pouch 7-1971, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, as soon as final regulations to govern preparation of the roll become effective.
