UAA and Ted Stevens Foundation commemorate ANCSA’s 50th anniversary

by Green & Gold News  |   

The University of Alaska Anchorage is partnering with the Ted Stevens Foundation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of signing the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), the largest land claims settlement in U.S. history. In 1971, President Richard Nixon signed the law, which ‘settled’ Alaska Native aboriginal claims and transferred more than 40 million acres of land to Alaska’s Native people.

Thursday’s virtual event features Willie Hensley, former state legislator, key advocate for ANCSA and visiting distinguished professor of public policy at UAA, Guy Martin, legislative aide to the late Congressman Nick Begich, and Bobbie Kilberg, former White House Fellow on President Nixon’s Domestic Policy Council. The event will feature video remarks from members of Alaska’s Congressional Delegation, as well as the premiere of a documentary video commemorating ANCSA’s anniversary. The Ted Stevens Foundation will announce a major gift to UAA of the late senator’s papers detailing the passage of ANCSA. These historic archives will be preserved by UAA and available for public viewing in early 2022.

Join the event, which starts Thursday, Dec. 16, at noon.


  • What: Discussion honoring 50th anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in partnership with the Ted Stevens Foundation to celebrate ANCSA's passage and its importance for Alaska's future.
  • Who: UAA in partnership with the Ted Stevens Foundation.
    • Moderated by Willie Hensley with special guests involved in ANCSA's passage.
  • When: Thursday, Dec. 16, 12 p.m. AKST
  • Where: Livestreamed statewide via Zoom
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