Module IX - Introduction

Wherever you are, we're glad you're here!

Alaska's  Flag

Essential Questions

• Describe the major reasons given for statehood and explain how those reasons are reflected in the Alaska State  Constitution.
• Americans sometimes complain about feeling alienated from their elected officials and from the seats of power.  Is such alienation true in Alaska?  Explain, and link the explanation to Alaska's state and local governance structure.
• Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 1971 - Discuss two ways that this legislation has impacted Alaska, and two specific ways that it has impacted Alaska Natives.
• Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 1980 has been supported and derided by Alaskans, both in 1980 when it was passed and today.  Describe three impacts of this landmark legislation.
• Alaska Permanent Fund - $41+ billion. It is our "rainy day account". So, is it "raining" yet?  How hard is it raining?  Is it time to spend some of the earnings of the AK Permanent Fund to provide for state services?  What arguments would you present to legislators reluctant to confront this issue?
• Pick one contemporary issue from your region and discuss - explain the issue, identify the major players and their positions.

ENGAGE

Teachers surround Alaska's Capitol, 2000 - M. Penn

Now we come to the Alaska of the post-WW II period - the lifetimes of our parents, our grandparents, ourselves and our children.  

For this module, the term contemporary refers to the last sixty years, with an emphasis on the last forty years.  For certain current issues, some historical background will be provided.

How do we come to know and understand this time period of which we are a part? All of the prior modules of this course have provided an opportunity for knowledge acquisition of critical topics while also providing portals to an awareness of links between the topics.  

One area yet to cover is governance in Alaska. What is the history of AK governance?  What are the forms of government in Alaska? Why is there such a push-pull tension of power between the state and federal governments, between state government and the tribes, between local governments and the tribes? between the local governments and the state?  

William L.Paul Sr.
sitnews.us

As was described in the previous module, Alaska experienced profound changes as a result of World War II. This module will introduce major topics and issues of the post-war period.  Most topics in this module have roots that go back decades, such as Native claims and support for statehood.  All are interconnected.  

Elizabeth Peratrovich
hainesnews.net

With improving communication and transportation systems, Alaska was not immune from the influences of the larger movements of the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's.  

Alaska had been a pioneer of the civil rights movement with passage of Anti-Discrimination Legislation in 1945.   The American Indian Movement lent credence and support to the AK Native claims movement.  The Civil Rights Movement was used by statehood advocates as well as Native rights activists with its theme of equality for all.

ANILCA Training Curriculum
www.institutenorth.org

The young environmental movement in the Lower 48 led to the passage of clean air and clean water laws and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. This movement greatly impacted natural resource development in Alaska.  

Pressure brought by the environmental movement resulted in a famous clause in the 1971 AK Native Claims Settlement Act, Section 17(d)(2), which ultimately led to the AK National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980. 

Language in that act regarding access to fish/game profoundly impacted state and federal management of fish/game and has been at the heart of the decades long controversy over the issue of subsistence.  

www.apfc.org

Oil development on the North Slope in Alaska brought unprecedented wealth to Alaska. In the debate about what to do with this money, the Alaska Permanent Fund was created.  

Later, the oil wealth was shared with all Alaskans through the AK Permanent Fund Dividend program. Other states have natural resource wealth; why is AK the only state with a dividend program for its residents?

Senate President Stevens,
House Speaker Chenault 2012
www.housemajority.org

All of this comes full circle back to the Alaska Constitution, Alaska's government structure, and the interplay between various government structures.   This is all need to know.


Complicated?  YES!   Interesting?  YES!   Relevant for all Alaskans?  YES!  Will it take time to fully digest all of this?  YES!


So we begin.  The authors of this course are aware that this module presents a particular challenge due to the amount and complexity of material.  It is offered here with the knowledge that course participants may, given time constraints, have to choose particular subjects upon which to focus.  

It is recommended that all the pages be given an early review, and then if choices have to be made, that participants select the topics most unfamiliar to them.  Also, it is recommended that course participants come back to this module from time to time to learn more and to access the links to other resources.

What's Next?

 - Early Governance.

Alaska State Capitol
alaskadispatch.com