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What is ANCSA?

In 1972, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ incorporated and enrolled its original Shareholders. This happened because a series of significant events, including the discovery of oil on Alaska’s North Slope, that put the U.S. government under significant pressure to address Alaska Native claims to nearly all of the land in Alaska.

To resolve those land claims, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was signed into law on December 18, 1971. It authorized the U.S. Department of the Interior to convey surface lands to over 200 Alaska Native village corporations, and subsurface (mineral estate) and additional surface lands to 12 regional corporations. ANCSA also provided a cash settlement of $962.5 million for lands claimed but not returned to Alaska Native peoples.

ANCSA gave the regional and village corporations only a few years to organize, enroll shareholders and select acreage within their regions.

Your Stock Ownership

Your ownership of stock (also called shares) is the basis for the rights and benefits you receive from ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. The typical Shareholder owns 100 shares, plus any shares received through gifting or inheritance. There are four types of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ stock, as follows:

• Class A and B stock: This stock is owned by original Shareholders and those who received it through gifting or inheritance. Class A stock is linked to enrollment in a village corporation, and Class B stock is for At-Large Shareholders who did not enroll in a village corporation. 
• Class C and D stock: This stock is known as Life Estate stock because it is valid only for the lifetime of the Shareholder and is canceled upon passing of the Shareholder. Class C stock is issued to Descendants of an original Shareholder, and Class D stock is issued to missed enrollees.  

Did you know?
In 1972, 13,306 original Shareholders enrolled with ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and received 1,330,600 shares of Class A or B stock. In 2015, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Shareholders voted to open enrollment to Descendants of original Shareholders and to missed enrollees who could have received original ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ shares but did not. Open enrollment for Class C and D stock began in 2017 and continues to this day. 

Your Shareholder Rights

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Shareholders help to determine the future of our corporation by exercising their right to vote in the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Learn your additional rights to:

• Run for the Board of Directors – ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Board of Directors candidates must be at least 18 years old and must be a voting ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Corporation Shareholder. The opportunity to apply and the deadline for applications are announced a few months before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
• Inspect Corporate Records – Shareholders have the right to inspect and copy corporate records, including financial documents, minutes, and Shareholder lists, as long as they make a written request and provide a legitimate reason. Corporations are obligated to protect the privacy of Shareholders and ensure that sensitive information, such as personnel or legal matters, remains confidential. If a corporation refuses a proper request to inspect corporate records, it can be fined a minimum of $5,000. You may also designate agents, such as attorneys or accountants, to exercise this right.

Be an Engaged Shareholder

Being a ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Shareholder is not just about exercising your rights and receiving benefits, it’s also about contributing to the corporation and our Region.

• Read the newsletter: The Yaaruin (Storyknife) newsletter is an important communication tool we use to share corporate news and stories from around the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Region. The newsletter has in-depth articles and features relevant to you as a Shareholder.
• Review Annual Meeting materials and vote your proxy: Shareholders eligible to vote receive materials in preparation and support of the Annual Meeting. These materials include information about Board candidates and our financial performance. Without these materials, you cannot make informed decisions.
• Follow us on social media: Social media is one of the most successful tools we have to immediately share information with Shareholders. By following us on , you will be able to stay up to date on the latest ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ news. You can also follow us on , and .