Message from the Executive Director
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I am happy to say that 2019 has been a great year for ANVCA so far! We had some successes along with some set-backs that have caused us to re-evaluate our approach and develop new strategies. That being said, please know that we will
not
deviate from the priorities adopted by the ANVCA Board of Directors for 2019.
If you want to learn more about these policy priorities visit our website
ADVOCACY PAGE
today. If you are a full-paid member, we encourage you to get involved at the committee level or contact us at the office with any ideas you may have on policy priorities for 2020.
We have a record number of Village Corporations participating in ANVCA in 2019, I want to take a moment to thank those of you who have shown continued faith in this organization. We were created from the vision of several of our founding board members, and we are proud of what has been accomplished here since we were created. We owe that strength to every single member of this organization, working together toward the common good of the Village Corporations.
Becoming a full-paid member provides you access to our "members only" area of our website, where we keep all of our monthly fishnet materials, annual meeting presentations, and even a cache of best practices for Village Corporations (i.e. corporate trust resolutions, board ethics policies, investment policies and more).
We hope to continue to grow our paid memberships in 2019/2020, we invite you to check out the
membership page
and join today if you are not already participating as a full-paid member. Your 12-month membership starts the day you sign up. If you are listed as an "affiliate" member, that means you are not a full-paid member.
One of the areas that we have been extremely successful in the past few years is in gaining support from our partner community.
At ANVCA, establishing long term Partnerships is essential. Partners are entities that have a similar mission or wish to actively support our mission of promoting Village Corporation success and protection of our Native lands. A Partner is committed to actively work towards the mission.
We want to take the time to thank each of our
partners
in 2019, this year would not have been possible without their support!
After much discussion, the ANVCA Board voted in their last board meeting to increase the dues at the top two levels of ANVCA,
beginning in 2021
. Our new Denali dues will increase by $2,500 from $5,000 to $7,500 annually. The Mt. Saint Elias Dues level will increase $1,500 from $3,500 annually up to $5,000. The other levels will remain the same.
Again, these changes will not go in to effect until 2021
, giving our membership a full annual cycle to plan for the change in their annual budgeting process.
We are doing this for two reasons: we need to balance our revenue stream so that the Village Corporations are the main source of income (not partners) and so that ANVCA can operate at the desired level of the board with a full-time Executive Director and at least one additional staffer, both of whom receive health benefits. These small annual increases at the top two levels will stabilize the organization allowing it to continue to operate.
Keep scrolling! We have a LOT to share!
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Upcoming ANVCA Events:
November 14
11:30 - 1:00 Anchorage
Petroleum Club
ANVCA Fishnet - Settlement Trust Accounts to Manage Capital Gains
Join us for lunch and an informative session about establishing Settlement Trust Accounts and using them to manage capital gains!
Christopher Slottee
of Holland & Knight, LLP, will discuss how to create and utilize a Settlement Trust to the best advantage of the Native Corporation and its shareholders.
Paul Hurley
is a Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab. Financial markets have reached new all-time highs this year, and Paul will discuss how Settlement Trusts are efficient tools in addressing capital gains and investment income.
Carl Marrs
, President and CEO of Old Harbor Native Corporation and architect of the new Settlement trust law will join this session to offer his thoughts and answer questions on best practices.
May 6-7, 2020
ANVCA Annual Business Conference and Trade Show
Egan Center, Anchorage Alaska
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RES2020 March 1-5
RES2020 is the Summit to attend for those looking for high caliber networking, winning teaming opportunities, business development sessions, one-on-one consulting, all centered around the American Indian Enterprise.
The event features tribal leaders, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, state and local officials and top CEO's on a national platform. It's just one more example of how the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is building bridges of opportunity for today's American Indian Enterprises.
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On behalf of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and the National Indian Gaming Association, I would like to invite you to join us for an exclusive Native-owned business matchmaking event: 'N2N: Building the Native to Native Economy' in San Diego, California on Wednesday December 10
th
, 2019.
This first-of-its-kind event will be curated to give you the best opportunity to share your company’s product/service with
dozens of tribal and non-tribal casino/resort
procurement executives, learn about innovative business growth strategies through Native Edge Institute, and network with other Native business owners with complimentary products or services.
N2N: Building the Native to Native Economy
Wednesday December 10
th
, 2019, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
(Welcome reception 6:00 pm the evening of December 9
th
)
The US Grant Hotel
326 Broadway, San Diego, California
The aim of this one-day event is to create quality contract procurement opportunities for Native-owned businesses and to provide you with the tools and information you need to work with casino/resort operations. Whether your company offers services like IT or public relations, skin care products, or art, you will be able to connect with a relevant group of purchasers from tribal casino/resorts throughout Indian Country as well as large non-tribal owned casino/resorts in a structured environment that is tailored to the needs of buyers and sellers.
In order to qualify for this session, we ask that you complete the following steps:
1) Apply for the session at
https://advancedbusinessmatch.com/abm-events/n2n-building-the-native-to-native-economy-us/
by December 3rd. (Please note that not every applicant will have the opportunity to attend. The earlier you apply, the more likely we will be to accommodate your application. Those who are accepted will be notified. Each participant is responsible for their own travel and accommodations. We have a limited pre-negotiated room block at The US Grant Hotel which you can book during the event registration process).
2) Prepare a short pitch deck presentation to share with relevant casino/resort procurement executives (we recommend no more than three pages).
3) (Optional) Participate in a preparatory webinar to learn about how to maximize your chances of success at the event and gaming licenses you may need to sell products/services to casino/resorts. We will send you a notification with time and date information when available.
We hope to see you this December!
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2019 NACA Congressional Outreach Summit
Dates:
November 19-21
The Native American Contractors Association?s
Congressional Outreach Summit
(NACAOS) is an annual event focused on strategic advocacy. NACA Members congregate in Washington D.C. to meet with elected officials, congressional staffers and key federal agency officials. The legislative staff coordinates meetings between NACA companies and their local representatives, lending to deeper and more meaningful advocacy. The goal of the
NACAOS
is to bring the stories of Native contracting to our Nation?s decision-makers and produce legislative solutions that will benefit Member companies and communities. NACA Members have the opportunity to tell their stories, show how their businesses impact the economic well-being of Native communities, and discuss the pressing issues that affect them most.
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Construction In Indian Country National Conference
Date: Nov 6, 2019 - Nov 8, 2019
Where: Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, Maricopa, AZ
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Save the Date: CIRI Holiday Craft Bazaar
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019
CIRI Fireweed Business Center
725 East Fireweed Lane
Anchorage
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CIRI’s Holiday Craft Bazaar will host approximately 60 Alaska Native artists selling an array of unique handmade items, including beadwork, carvings, clothing, jewelry, woven baskets and more. A silent auction will be held in conjunction with the Craft Bazaar, with all proceeds benefitting Cook Inlet Tribal Council’s child and family, education, employment, and recovery and re-entry programs.
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Explore the diverse world of Alaska Native art at this year's premier Celebration of Native Art - CONA
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Alaska Native art connects us to our heritage, shows respect for our land and resources, and helps provide for the livelihood of Alaska Native artists. From handmade jewelry to unique crafts to fine art, you'll be sure to find the perfect piece to decorate your home or gift to those you love, all while supporting Alaska Native artists. BSNC shareholder and descendant artists are invited to reserve a table by emailing
[email protected]
.
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November 5
11:45 - 1:00
Hotel Captain Cook
Diversity in Our Community Event
CLE Credit!
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Thank you to our Moose Partner!
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Thank you to our Salmon Partners!
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Thank you to our Caribou Partners!
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APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING IS OPEN!
Village and Regional Corporations are now eligible to apply for this funding for evaluation and clean-up activities on your lands!
Thanks to our ANVCA Advocates!!!
Grant Application Webinars & Online Resources
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GCI, Nushagak Cooperative partner on new infrastructure buildout
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New NETC mountaintop repeaters will deliver improved speeds, capacity to Dillingham
ANCHORAGE, Alaska –
GCI and the Nushagak Electric and Telephone Cooperative (NETC) recently announced a partnership to deliver faster internet speeds and higher data capacity to residents and businesses in Southwest Alaska.
The project includes two new NETC mountaintop microwave repeaters that will connect to GCI’s fiber infrastructure in Levelock, leveraging existing facilities to deliver service. The project is targeted for completion later this year.
“The initial NETC design for the project envisioned a new microwave network from Dillingham to Anchor Point with seven new sites. By leveraging nearby GCI resources, we discovered we could shave four microwave sites and roughly 125 miles off our plans,” said NETC CEO & General Manager Bob Himschoot. “This enabled NETC to greatly reduce construction and ongoing maintenance costs of the project while increasing reliability for our customers.”
“GCI and NETC have long worked together to deliver quality connectivity in the region, and this partnership is just one more example of leveraging resources to deliver service and value to Alaskans,” said Vice President of GCI Wholesale Business Krag Johnsen. “It has always been GCI’s mission to connect Alaskans and our ongoing partnership with NETC is an effective way to do that throughout much of Southwest Alaska.”
NETC
delivers telephone, internet and television service to Aleknagik, Clark’s Point, Dillingham, Ekuk, Manokotak and Portage Creek. These six communities are home to roughly 3,200 year-round residents, with populations that greatly expand during fishing season when seasonal workers flood the communities to take part in the world-famous Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run.
About GCI
GCI provides data, mobile, video, voice and managed services to consumer and business customers throughout Alaska and nationwide. Headquartered in Alaska, GCI has delivered services for nearly 40 years to some of the most remote communities and in some of the most challenging conditions in North America. Learn more about GCI at
www.gci.com
. GCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of GCI Liberty, Inc.
(Nasdaq: GLIBA, GLIBP).
Learn more about GCI Liberty at
www.gciliberty.com
.
Media Contact
Heather Handyside (GCI)
Phone: 907-301-3481
Bob Himschoot (NETC)
Phone: 907-842-5251
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Thank you to our Denali Village Corp Members!
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Keep going! There is more!
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ANVCA Completes Another Successful Fly-in
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Nearly 40 people participated in this year's Annual DC Legislative Fly-In, we held nearly 60 meetings in congressional offices with committee leadership and staff. ANVCA had four teams, each focused on a different topic of equal importance to our members that reflected the 2019 ANVCA Policy Priorities.
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The first team was focused on ANCSA Contaminated Lands, lead by ANVCA Executive Director Hallie Bissett.
READ THE ONE PAGER
for a more in-depth look at one of ANVCA's top priorities since 2012. Thanks to the hard work of Senator Sullivan and other key members of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, we have finally been relieved of all legal liability related to contaminated lands that were transferred to our people contaminated by the previous user.
There were two teams that sought to both expand the business relationship with the Federal Government and also to educate Congress on the key differences between individually owned firms and those owned by Indigenous groups.
READ THE ONE PAGER
to learn more about these efforts.
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The Final team was focused on Energy and Infrastructure issues specific to Alaska and the Arctic. ANVCA hopes to see the Department of Energy establish a larger presence in Alaska. Rural Alaska pays 3-5 times the national average per KWH in many places around the State. Even with Power Cost Equalization the costs of power can be crippling in long winter months.
READ THE ONE PAGER
to learn more about it.
While the suggested budget for the Office of Indian Energy within DOE had a proposed 55% reduction, ANVCA and partner organization's advocacy efforts along with the hard work of Senator Murkowski's Office ensured not only a sustained budget, but an increase in funds to $25MM should the appropriations bills be passed as-is in the Senate. This budget includes much needed energy infrastructure grants that are provided for projects on tribal lands.
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ANVCA Developed a very specific "Ask" around infrastructure investment opportunities for Alaska Native Corporations as well as Service Contract opportunities to be built into any major infrastructure projects happening in the United States. We were surprised to learn that this language had been included in the recent Highway Bill that passed the Senate thanks to the hard work of Senator Sullivan's office!
READ THE DRAFT LANGUAGE HERE
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Advocates for the Native Contracting Team
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Christopher Mandregan, Jr., Chairman of the TDX Corp. Addresses Alaska's Congressional Delegation
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ANVCA Board member and CEO of Leisnoi Inc. Jana Turvey speaks about Native Contracting
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Chefarnmute representatives Isadora Kilanak and Dora Mathew and BSNC Board Member Debbie Atuk with Congresswoman Betty McCollum (middle)
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ANVCA Board member Jana Turvey with Senator Murkowski and ANVCA Executive Director Hallie Bissett
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Waste Management Named Industry Leader on the 2019 North America and World Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)
World-Wide, Top Performing Company in Commercial Services and Supplies Sector
HOUSTON – OCT. 2, 2019 – For the second year in a row, Waste Management (NYSE: WM) has been named the Sector Leader for Commercial Services, at the top of the 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for North America and the World. Amid a record number of companies completing the survey, this distinction recognizes the company’s leadership in its industry.
SEE THE FULL ARTICLE
ANVCA is Proud to call you a partner!
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BSNC
DOUBLES
scholarship support!
BSNC has doubled scholarship funding for undergraduate, graduate and vocational Bering Straits Foundation (BSF) student recipients. Newly approved scholarship increases are effective for the fall 2019 term.
“BSNC is very proud to invest in its shareholders and descendants,” said BSNC President & CEO Gail R. Schubert. “I encourage our students to fully utilize scholarships from the Foundation to obtain an education or training that will benefit our Region, Alaska and Our People.”“
BSF is extremely thankful for the increase in contributions from BSNC and their continued support,” said BSF President Jed Ballard. “These changes will have a meaningful positive impact for our students and their families.”
BSF’s mission is to support the educational and vocational goals of Our People, strengthening sustainable communities and enriching Native cultural heritage and traditional values. Since 1991, BSNC has provided more than $3.1 million to BSF to support BSNC shareholders and descendants pursuing post-secondary education.
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Important information regarding Alaska Native Veterans Allotments
By Paul Krabacher
The Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Era Land Allotment program (ANVV of 2019) authorized by Section 1119 of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of March 13, 2019, PL 116-9 codified at 43 USC 1629g-1, allows for eligible individuals to receive an allotment of a single parcel of available Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed lands in Alaska. Parcels must be between 2.5 and 160 acres.
The legislation outlines specific milestones for deliveries
as follows:
• The Department of Defense (DoD) and Veteran Affairs (VA) will provide the Department of Interior’s (DOl) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) a list of veterans who served between the time period as specified (August 5, 1964 and December 17, 1971); due date September 8, 2019;
• The BIA will review the data from DoD/VA and will provide BLM a list of Alaska Native Veterans (as soon as practicable after receipt);
• BLM will review the list from BIA to determine if individuals had not received an allotment pursuant to the Act of 1906 or ANCSA for establishing a list of Eligible Individuals (as soon as practicable after receipt);
• BLM will identify available lands for selection and maps (March 12, 2020); and
• BLM will promulgate regulations for implementing the program (by September, 2020);
• An Eligible Individual has 5 years from when the regulations are in effect to select land.
Additionally, the legislation directs DOl and the VA to provide outreach and assistance in applications to Eligible Individuals.
Eligibility
— At the time of this update, only DoD has delivered their list of potential eligible Veterans to BIA. VA is still working through logistical issues. Once the BIA has sent BLM their resulting data and BLM has completed their determination for Eligible Individuals, BLM intends on sending Eligible Individuals direct notification. If an individual did not receive notification, BLM and partners are establishing a specific process for these individuals to complete their required documentation. Additionally, with stakeholder input, DOl is looking at how to simplify the Personal Representative process.
Available lands
- The legislation specifies available lands for selection to be BLM administered lands that are “vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved”. BLM is currently completing revocation packages for Secretarial approval to revoke ANCSA 17(d)(1) Public Land Orders (PLOs) across BLM Alaska managed lands per recommendations from BLM Resource Management Plans (RMP5). Currently PLOs have been revoked in three areas (Goodnews Bay, the Forty Mile subunit of the Eastern Interior RMP, and the Bering Glacier). BLM is targeting recommendation packages for Secretarial signature by March of 2020 for three more additional areas (Kobuk-Seward, Dillingham, and Glennallen). Additionally, the legislation allows for lands that are selected (not conveyed) to Native Corporations or the State of Alaska. BLM is proposing that ANCs complete Conditional Relinquishment for those Eligible Individuals approved for their specific selections within the ANC. (This applies to only selections that are managed by BLM — not conveyed lands.)
Rules
— The drafting of the rules is underway with a version currently out for comment. BLM has set a deadline for comments of December 2, 2019 (comments can be sent to: email;
[email protected] or mail; BLM — Native Vietnam Allotment Rule, 222 W. 7th St., #13, Anchorage, AK 99513)
BLM in collaboration with VA, BIA and BIA’s Service Providers is ramping up outreach efforts. BLM along with BIA is available to provide direct updates to any ANC or organization that submits a request. Please contact Paul Krabacher, Project Manager at 907-271-5681 or [email protected] or Ralph Eluska, Tribal Liason, at 907-271- or [email protected].
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Murkowski, Manchin Introduce “Hot” New Bill to Advance Geothermal R&D
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation to accelerate geothermal energy development in the United States.
The Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership Act of 2019 (the “AGILE” Act) includes provisions for research and development of both existing and enhanced geothermal systems, resource assessment updates, grant program authorization, and improved permitting.
“Geothermal is a highly reliable, zero-emission resource able to provide both heat and power almost anywhere,” Murkowski said. “Our committee’s June hearing highlighted the opportunity geothermal holds to contribute to America’s energy future, with expanded innovation and deployment. Our new bill addresses both technical and non-technical barriers that have kept us from realizing geothermal’s full potential.”
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THE DOYON, LIMITED LANDS BOUNDARY STORY
LAND SELECTIONS TO MAXIMIZE OWNERSHIP IN THE YUKON FLATS
A
previous lands story
shed light on how Doyon, Limited’s boundaries were set during the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Doyon was established on June 26, 1972, under ANCSA, led by the first president John Sackett.
The new board worked closely with villages, land analysts, government agencies, and natural resource industries to choose lands for different values and uses, with the long-term in mind. Original Doyon board member Sam Kito, Jr. shared, “We went to the villages and talked to them about what their land use was.” He explained that the villages “looked at selections patterns and use and occupancy. We provided some information about minerals that may be available but they (villages) eventually made the selections.”
There were various land selections that required villages to make independent decisions and some requiring collective agreement. One of those agreements occurred in the mid 1970s for land maximization in the Yukon Flats subregion. Beaver, Fort Yukon, Chalkyitsik, Circle and Birch Creek signed on to coordinate ANCSA land selections with Doyon.
What is land maximization?
These village corporations agreed not to select some lands that Doyon otherwise would have been required to take under ANCSA, which would have resulted in the “checkerboard pattern” (
see map
). Instead, village corporations selected lands in coordination with Doyon to ensure that a complete land pattern existed around the communities. This is the only area in the Doyon region that has a “maximized” land pattern and not the traditional checkerboard pattern.
The combined approach allocated lands in the Yukon Flats that could have been placed elsewhere. The objective was to enhance Native participation in possible oil and gas development opportunities for the benefit of all shareholders. It also was intended to provide more control of development by Native people and support of subsistence activities by having a larger ownership pattern together between village corporations and Doyon.
It resulted in approximately 400,000 acres of ANCSA land in the Yukon Flats that otherwise would not have been there and could have been allocated across the region near the other 32 villages.
The map
shows the community of Birch Creek without the collaborative effort, and after the collaborative effort.
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SULLIVAN ANNOUNCES NEW FAIRBANKS REGIONAL DIRECTOR
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S.
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today announced October 11, 2019 that
Greg Bringhurst
has been hired as his Fairbanks regional director and rural advisor. Bringhurst will replace Leslie Hajdukovich, who served in this position for the last four and a half years.
“I was so thankful to have Leslie representing the office in Fairbanks. Together with our fantastic constituent relations representative Lisa Harbo, Leslie provided excellent service to Interior residents and was a joy to work with. We are excited to bring Greg on board to maintain this high level of service,” said Senator Sullivan. “His demonstrated leadership and the expertise he’s gained through his previous experiences serving our state make him a welcome addition to our team. I am confident his experience and strong relationships in the community will be a major asset in serving Alaskans in the Interior.”
Born and raised in Fairbanks, Bringhurst was most recently the director of public policy and government affairs at Cook Inlet Housing Authority. He has also worked as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide in the Alaska Legislature, and for the Tanana Chiefs Conference. Bringhurst has been an active volunteer with many organizations in the Interior and is a graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Congrats Greg!
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US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AWARDS CONTRACT TO ALASKA PENINSULA CORPORATION COMPANY
The Alaska Peninsula Corporation (APC), the consolidated village corporation of South Naknek, Port Heiden, Ugashik, Kokhanok and Newhalen announces that Talarik Research and Restoration Services LLC was recently awarded a sole source contract by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to provide remediation cleanup of contaminated soils near the village of Port Heiden.
“The awarded project is unique for APC because we’re performing clean-up work on land owned by the corporation. This is an important opportunity not just for APC, but for our Port Heiden shareholders who we’ll employ as laborers and operators. By doing so we’re putting valuable resources and revenue back into the village, which in turn contributes to an overall healthy community” says APC’s Brad Angasan, Sr. Vice President and CEO of APC Federal LLC, the holding company for APC companies targeting government services through 8a contracting.
The project is planned to last two seasons and is expected to begin cleanup work by next May. In addition to local hire, Angasan says that APC has an important objective of doing as much business as possible with local enterprise and organizations such as village councils and tribes. “We attempt to maximize as much local purchasing as we can. This includes services for billeting, equipment rental, utilities, fuel and other supplies available for purchase in the village.”
APC has experienced progressive and healthy financial growth the last 2 years, in large part due to resource development work on the proposed Pebble prospect located near Iliamna. APC has had a integral role in providing geospatial services such as underwater bathymetry of Lake Iliamna as well as the Cook Inlet where possible routes are being considered for the laydown of a natural gas pipeline to the project site from the Kenai Peninsula.
In addition to Talarik Research and Restoration Services LLC, APC Federal also manages APC Construction Services LLC and APC Professional Services LLC. APC Federal is headquartered in Anchorage, AK and has operations in North Carolina.
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Young, Dingell Introduce Legislation for Long-Term Reauthorization of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, D.C.
–
This week,
Congressman Don Young
(R-AK) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced legislation to reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the nation’s largest conservation grant maker, through fiscal year 2024. As a Congressionally-chartered corporation, NFWF supplements federal conservation efforts through public-private partnerships and competitive grant programs for innovative and proven conservation projects across the country.
“The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has been a strong and valued partner for Alaska since its creation,”
said Congressman Don Young
. “I am proud to partner with my good friend Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to ensure that the Foundation is able to continue its critical work well into the future. I look forward to working with my friends on both sides of the aisle on the Natural Resources Committee to move this important legislation to the Floor.”
“Since its establishment 35 years ago, NFWF has played a key role in promoting innovative conservation programs and protecting Michigan’s iconic species and environment,”
said Congresswoman Dingell
. “This strong, bipartisan program has a track record of success and will continue to play a vital role in safeguarding our environmental legacy. I would like to thank my friend, Congressman Don Young, in partnering on this important initiative, and look forward to working together to advance this legislation without delay.”
Since its founding in 1984, NFWF has provided more than 17,250 grants to all 50 states and territories to protect and restore America’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Financial commitments since its establishment are over $5.3 billion, and NFWF has awarded grants to all 50 states in order to fulfill its mission to “further the conservation and management of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources of the United States, and its territories and possessions, for present and future generations of Americans.”
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A Village Corporation Leaps on to the Alaska Top 49er list!
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A New CEO and an Acquisition positions Choggiung Limited - Village Corporation for Dillingham - for growth!
©Arie Henry | Alaska Business
This year is the debut of Top 49er Choggiung Limited, the ANCSA village corporation for Dillingham. The corporation reported 2018 revenue of more than $95 million, propelling it to number thirty-five in the rankings. The last two years for Choggiung have been full of positive changes, including the addition of a new CEO, a significant acquisition, and positive movement throughout its business holdings.
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While a project to clean up a former World War II military base off the coast of Alaska was located so close that one could see the work from shore, that did not mean it was going to be easy to complete.
By Timothy Gould, P.E., M.SAME, and Denise Yancey, M.SAME
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ANVCA Appoints New Board Members
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Trefon Angasan - President /Chair
Alaska Peninsula Corporation
Mr. Angasan is currently the Chairman and President of Alaska Peninsula Corporation (APC). APC is a merged village corporation consisting of five villages (Port Heiden, South Naknek, Ugashik, Kokhanok, and Newhalen).
Trefon has served as a board member of the Alaska Peninsula Corporation (APC) since its inception in 1973. He brings more than 50 years' experience working in Alaska Native affair.
In addition to serving on the board of APC, he owns Trefon Angasan Consulting, an individual consulting firm located here in Anchorage, AK
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Melissa Kookesh - Chair
Kootznoowoo Incorporated
Ms. Kookesh has served as Chair of Kootznoowoo, the Village Corporation representing the Southeast Alaska Village of Angoon for over 3 years. In that time the Corporation has made a considerable turn-around and is once again growing.
Kookesh has has spent nearly 5 years as a Legislative Aide in Juneau, Alaska where she is responsible for Senate Health and Social Services Committee, scheduling, press releases, and website updates.
In addition, she brings 4 years of past service as Assistant to the President for the largest tribe in her region.
ANVCA welcomes Mellissa Kookesh to the Board of Directors!
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Interested in running for a spot on the ANVCA Board?
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Per our bylaws, individuals who are a full paid village corporation member serving in the capacity of CEO, CHAIR, OR PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AN Alaska Native Village Corporation, is eligible to run for a seat on the ANVCA Board of Directors.
A total of four Directors are up for re-election this year at our Annual Business Conference May 6-7. If you are in a position of executive leadership (President, Chair, or CEO), you're qualified to run!
Thinking of running as well?
Email us
your statement of interest and experience, short educational history (optional), short description of your home community and village ANC, and headshot!
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Ancestral Remains Repatriated to Old Harbor
The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor and Old Harbor Native Corporation collaborated on repatriation of 38 ancestors who were removed from Three Saints Bay, Kiavak and Sitkalidak Island. These human remains were returned to the Native Village of Old Harbor where they held a Repatriation Ceremony and burial on September 20, 2019 in Three Saints Bay.
Beginning in 1961 and continuing through 1963, human remains representing 23 individuals were removed from the Three Saints Bay site as part of the Aleut-Koniag project conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1963, human remains representing 13 individuals were removed from the Younger Kiavak site and 2 individuals were removed from the Old Kiavak site. As part of the Aleut-Koniag project conducted by the University of Wisconsin Madison, excavations took place at several sites on Kodiak Island. Additionally, the Alaska State Museum contacted Old Harbor with notice of human remains that were collected from Port Hobron, which were also returned for proper burial.
“We are saddened and disturbed that our ancestors’ burial sites were desecrated,”
said Cynthia Berns, Old Harbor Native Corporation’s Vice President of Community and External Affairs.
“It is only right that our ancestors are being returned so that we can respectfully lay them back to rest in their homeland.”
On a beautiful fall day, over 40 community members and guests boarded fishing vessels and several skiffs then traveled to Three Saints Bay where they gathered to have a respectful reburial.
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April Counceller, Executive Director of the Alutiiq Museum, stated,
“When I was child, my Grandparents would tell me about when people would come to our village and take away the bones of the old timers. And at that time I never imagined that I would be around to see our ancestors be brought home for their eternal rest….I am so grateful to take part of such an important and healing opportunity for our people…”
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ANVCA Board Member Testifies in House Small Business Committee Hearing
Recently The Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations held a hearing titled, “Native 8(a) Contracting: Emerging Issues.”
ANVCA advocated for the committee to include an Alaska Native Corporation panelist and was able to successfully secure a seat for ANVCA Board Member and Treasurer Jana Turvey. Also testifying was longtime ANVCA partner Christine Williams from Outlook Law.
Ms. Turvey Joined 3 other panelists to answer questions about Alaska Native Corporations and the benefits they provide to their stakeholders. All the panelists did an Amazing job advocating on behalf of the members they represent, we were so grateful to be included in the process.
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Investing in Alaska and across the Arctic
Pt Capital sees enormous economic opportunity in the Arctic as an investment space, driven not only by well-publicized natural resources, but by sustainable non-extractive industries.
The Arctic is thirsty for data. Finland is the #1 data user per person worldwide. Icelanders, meanwhile, consume more mobile data per capita than 95% of the world’s mobile phone users, and valuable companies have been created there as a result. Our portfolio company Nova, a leading Icelandic telecommunications provider, is at the cutting edge of this market, delivering mobile and fiber coverage to a customer base that values app-driven content and access to information.
Tourism also continues to drive economic growth in the Arctic; the industry cites adventure tourism, improved accessibility, and “Instagrammable” scenery as key reasons for its growth. Tourism to Iceland has increased seven-fold in the last eight years, and is on pace to deliver nearly 2.4 million tourists in 2019. Alaska is a fast-growing tourism market as well, especially in the cruise ship segment, which is expected to set a new record for visitors in 2020 of 1.4 million. In fact, globally speaking, Alaska is a bigger player in cruise ships than in oil & gas: Compare its 4.5% share of the global cruise ship market to its 0.5% share of oil production!
The Arctic is also at the front lines of climate change – and climate solutions. Technologies to adapt, mitigate, and limit climate change are being developed and tested here in Alaska and across the Arctic. From geothermal energy to energy-efficient housing, our investment space is a global leader in solutions that address the rapidly changing climate in the North. Our Alaskan portfolio company, ICE Services, recently completed the installation of a 408-bed modular remote housing facility equipped with the latest smart building technologies that will enhance energy efficiency.
It is amidst this backdrop that Pt Capital invests in leading companies in Alaska, Iceland, and Finland, and while the nuances of investing up here can be daunting, we see boundless opportunity.
Pt Capital is proud to sponsor ANVCA. There are several ways to partner with Pt Capital, depending on your financial objectives and risk appetite. Contact us to see how we can help you achieve your corporation’s goals.
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Alaska Pacific University Receives $2M to Promote Alaska Native Education
Five-year U.S. Department of Education grant will support APU’s Indigenous One Health programs
Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Pacific University (APU) has been awarded a five-year, $2 million Alaska Native-Serving grant by the U.S. Department of Education.
The University will use the grant to increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates, specifically among Alaska Native and American Indian students enrolled in its Indigenous One Health programs, including Environmental Public Health, Health Sciences, and Nursing.
“This funding will allow the University to continue expanding education offerings to Alaska students and help in our effort towards becoming a Tribal University,” said APU President Dr. Robert Onders. “Our mission and vision are to promote an educational experience that is excellent, that is culturally responsive, and that prepares our students and our state for a bright future. This grant will help us advance those goals.”
APU’s Indigenous One Health programs are interdisciplinary courses of study developed around the belief that humans, the environment, and animals are all One. Along with affiliates like the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, APU is working to promote academic and research programs that will prepare Alaska students for careers in health science fields that are evolving rapidly.
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MILITARY ENGAGEMENT: A NEW ERA
AFN Executive Report
A new era of critical relationship building between the Alaska Native community and the military is in full swing. With the very real threats to the United States becoming clearer, a major shift in U.S. National Security policy, the unprecedented military buildup in Alaska and Russia, the opening of transportation corridors because of receding sea ice, the rapid growth and changes in technology, it is absolutely critical that the Native community has a seat the table. To strengthen the relationship, AFN hosted two roundtables, one on June 6 and the other on August 28, titled ‘Northernmost Border Security Roundtables’ (NBSR) on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
READ THE FULL AFN EXECUTIVE REPORT
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Improving a Retirement Plan Committee Through Diversity
Today’s workforces are becoming more diverse both generationally and culturally, and retirement plan committees should match this trend to add unique perspectives to plan decisions.
Art by
Linda Liu
“In today’s environment of increased litigation and plan design innovation, having a highly effective retirement plan committee has never been so important,” says an
article in the latest edition of next
, Nuveen’s quarterly retirement newsletter.
The article suggests that today’s workforces are becoming more diverse both generationally and culturally, and as a result, retirement plan committees must match this trend. Diversity comes in many forms. Gender, race, religion, age, culture, socioeconomic background, education and functional expertise all contribute to adding unique perspectives to plan decisions, according to the article.
A
paper released by Vanguard in 2014
—although about investment committees—noted that socially diverse committees may sometimes be able to work more quickly and efficiently. And, even though committees with information-processing diversity may take longer to reach a consensus, the multiple viewpoints can foster better decision making skills and more creative solutions. Having a more diverse committee, with members possessing differing viewpoints, may also lead to the development of better conflict resolution skills, the paper says.
Brendan McCarthy, national sales director, DCIO, Nuveen, based in Boston, says it is important first that retirement plan sponsors fully understand their fiduciary responsibilities and their risks as fiduciaries. Once they understand those, they need to build a highly effective plan committee, which includes the right number of members and the right demographics represented.
“Committees will have representatives from HR, finance and legal departments, but it is important to have diversity in the committee representative of the retirement plan participants. A diverse committee will have better governance practices,” McCarthy says.
He adds that a 2016 McKinsey study found that a team is 157% more likely to understand its consumers when at least one member is from their same demographic group. With retirement plan committees, the consumers are plan participants.
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Restructuring 8(a) Subsidiary Companies
By Walter Featherly, Robert Tompkins, Christopher Slottee, and Robert Misulich
1
Is your corporation considering restructuring the governance and management of your 8(a) subsidiary companies? Are you considering forming holding companies to separate the ownership and management of subsidiary companies engaged in different lines of business, serving different types of customers, or operating in different industries? Is there a desire to streamline the governance of the subsidiaries to reduce overhead and realize increased efficiencies? Is there a desire that the parent company have a greater level of control over the management of the subsidiary companies and those subsidiaries be managed with greater accountability and less risk to the parent company?
Before your corporation undertakes to make any of these changes, it is important to be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to the ownership, governance, and management of an Alaska Native Corporation’s subsidiary companies, particularly the laws and regulations concerning the eligibility of those subsidiary companies for benefits under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Section 8(a) Business Development Program and other federal government contracting programs. The following describes the rules and regulations with which your corporation must comply in any restructuring of its subsidiary companies.
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The 2020 Census will start in Toksook Bay, Alaska, on January 21, 2020.
This once-a-decade population count determines how much funding our communities receive for local services, provides data that inform businesses that grow our economy, and helps determine our state’s legislative districts.
Please do what you can to educate your employees about the importance of this activity, get resources and learn how you can participate
HERE
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Opportunity Knocks – Are You Prepared to Invest?
Looking for investment options into businesses or real estate? The federal Opportunity Zones Program, enacted as part of tax reform legislation, is intended to use private funds to promote economic development in underserved communities.
What is an opportunity zone?
Opportunity zones are economically distressed census tracts that were nominated by state governors and certified by the Treasury Department. There are nearly 9,000 opportunity zones located within all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. possessions. Twenty-five of these are in the state of Alaska, including parts of Anchorage, Mat-Su, Fairbanks, interior, North Slope, Southwest and Southeast Alaska. Click
here
to see the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development statewide maps of the zones.
Any taxpayer is eligible to invest in opportunity zones, if done through a qualified opportunity fund (QOF). A QOF is an investment vehicle that must invest at least 90 percent of its assets in businesses or real estate that operate in a qualified opportunity zone. The asset test is determined by averaging the opportunity zone property held in the QOF on the last day of the first six-month period and the last day of the taxable year.
What are the tax incentives?
The tax benefits can be significant. An investor must invest the capital gains from a prior sale into a QOF within 180 days of the sale of the investment. The capital gains may come from the sale of stock, bonds, real estate, or a company. The key is that the gain is treated as a capital gain on the federal tax return. The taxpayer does not have to invest the full amount of the proceeds, rather, only the capital gain, or a portion of that gain, is required to be invested. There are no intermediaries required and the funds are not traced. To take full advantage of the program, prospective participants need to invest before the end of 2019.
Investing in a QOF has three potential tax incentives:
1.
Deferral
– A tax deferral for any capital gains rolled over in a QOF until December 31, 2026, or the date on which the investment in the QOF is sold.
2.
Reduction
– A step-up in basis on the original gain, depending on the time the investment in the QOF is held. The basis of the original gain is zero. The basis of that original gain is increased by 10 percent if the taxpayer holds the investment for at least five years. An additional 5 percent is provided, for a total of 15 percent step-up, if the taxpayer holds the investment for more than seven years.
3.
Exclusion
– If the investment is held for 10 years or more, the appreciation on the investment is permanently excluded from taxation. As such, the basis equals the fair market value of that investment when the investment is sold or exchanged after the 10-year period.
BDO has a diversified team of specialists from the real estate, specialty tax planning and fixed asset groups focused on the Opportunity Zone Program. We can assist asset investors and developers by providing tax, audit, and advisory services, including:
·
Business and tax structuring
·
Federal and state tax reporting compliance
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Qualifying and structuring QOFs
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Audit compliance
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Information systems assurance
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Quality of earnings analysis
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Outsourced bookkeeping and administrative fund services
·
Lease audits and common area maintenance reviews
Current opportunity zones regulations are
proposed,
and final regulations are expected to be issued before the end of the year. Regardless, investing in opportunity zones is good for investors and it’s good for the community. BDO can help you determine whether opportunity zones are the right investment vehicle for you.
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NACA Hires new Executive Director
Joseph Valandra
Joseph Valandra is a member the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. Joe looks forward to bringing his over 30 years of experience in supporting Tribal economic development initiatives to the Native American Contractors Association (NACA). Joe welcomes the opportunity to champion the contracting and legislative goals of NACA’s membership; to forge new alliances and partnerships and strengthen existing ones; and to continue to be a vigorous advocate for Tribal sovereignty and economic justice for Indian Country.
Joe brings a unique perspective to NACA, having served in executive roles in both the private and public sectors, including:
- Managing Director of VAdvisors, LLC – a specialty advisory firm spearheading cutting-edge technology development projects designed to benefit Indian Country and specializing in the areas of American Indian policy advocacy in the areas of gaming, health care, broadband, Violence Against Women Act and more.
- Board Member of numerous companies in multiple industries;
- Chief of Staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) – the federal regulatory agency with Indian gaming oversight responsibilities;
- CEO and Chairman of a world-wide manufacturer and supplier of bingo and pull- tab gaming products and electronic equipment;
- Vice President of Development for a multi-jurisdictional casino development and management company;
- Bankruptcy Trustee and interim-CEO for a multi-state retail optical company;
Joe is a Graduate of a graduate of the University of South Dakota Business School and the University Minnesota Law School. He lives in the Washington, DC area with his spouse, Kelly, and their 3 children.
ANVCA looks forward to working with Joe and supporting the NACA mission:
Protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples to create economic development through government contracting, based upon the unique legal and political relationship between Indigenous peoples and the United States.
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Alaska Air Group reports third quarter 2019 results
Alaska Air Group Inc. reported on October 24th its third quarter 2019 GAAP net income of $322 million, or $2.60 per diluted share, compared to $217 million, or $1.75 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2018. Excluding the impact of merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported adjusted net income of $326 million, or $2.63 per diluted share, compared to $237 million, or $1.91 per diluted share in 2018.
READ FULL RELEASE
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Fishing Vessel Training:
By the numbers
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Alyeska’s award-winning Vessel of Opportunity Program started in 1990 to ready citizens and fishing industry professionals around Prince William Sound to provide oil spill response support in the unlikely case of an actual incident. Each year, SERVS staff provides program members with Fishing Vessel Training, which includes on-the-ground education and on-the-water training and drills to more than 1,500 crewmembers of approximately 450 vessels from six Prince William Sound ports.
“The Vessel of Opportunity program is a side of Alyeska many employees don’t realize exists and are surprised to hear about the countless hours put into the preparation, travel, and training it takes to certify over 1,500 captains and crew in a seven-week period,” said Kate Goudreau, the Vessel of Opportunity Coordinator. “We have an amazing opportunity to interact with Prince William Sound stakeholders and fishermen and it’s truly an inspiration to see so many people working together to ensure we are all constantly prepared to respond to a worst-case scenario.”
With this year’s Fishing Vessel Training tour officially wrapping up in Cordova in the first week of October, Goudreau provided an overview of the program and some numbers of this year’s specific training sessions.
When does Fishing Vessel Training take place?
From the end of March through late September/early October. March-May is spring training, September-October is fall training.
Where do the trainings take place?
Kodiak, Homer, Seward, Whittier, Cordova and Valdez.
How many fishing vessels and crewmembers participate?
Around 450 vessels with more than 1,500 crewmembers
How many days of training?
There are 51 days of training overall, and each crew member gets three days of training: two days in the classroom and one day on water.
How many Alyeska/Edison Chouest Offshore/TAPS contractor vessels, equipment and crews are involved?
Alyeska/SERVS staff uses 5-6 crew at each port; Edison Chouest uses roughly six crew (depending if they use the Tug Ross Chouest or the NearShore Support Barge, 500-2), including one specifically for safety; TCC has 13 crew, including one for safety; eight Fishing Vessel Administrators set up in the ports, and countless contractors are involved with the loadout operations (forklifts, flatbed trucks, etc.).
What are the largest and smallest fishing vessels involved?
The longest vessel is 88 feet; the smallest, 26.
What is the variety of skimmers and boom used in training?
All boom is taught in the classroom setting but calm water boom, intertidal boom and Buster systems are deployed on water. All types of skimmers may be discussed or touched on, but this year had our hands-on coverage with the Micro power pack with the Termite and Crucial skimmers, Helix & Elastic power pack/skimmers, deluge and shore-vac tactics.
In Homer, responders in a wildlife task force practiced catching floating decoy ducks. How many fake ducks were used during that exercise?
8-10.
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Stop Dilly Dallying: 3 Tools to Make Good Decisions Faster
“On an important decision, one rarely has 100% of the information needed for a good decision no matter how much one spends or how long one waits. And, if one waits too long, he has a different problem and has to start all over. This is the terrible dilemma of the hesitant decision maker.”
― Robert K. Greenleaf
Three Tips to Avoid the Terrible Dilemma of the Hesitant Decision Maker
There is a Chinese proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
Unfortunately, many leaders are very worried about planting the wrong tree, or planting their trees in the wrong place. So, they never plant at all.
As a recovering perfectionist, one of my biggest challenges has been learning to make and act on decisions without the assurance that I was making the right decision.
It hasn’t been easy to be willing to make less than perfect decisions, quickly learn from them, and move on. But this has produced more value in my life than never making mistakes.
Everyone makes decisions. But leaders are responsible for making decisions that impact other people. All well-intentioned leaders are concerned about the quality and efficacy of those decisions. But too many take too long to make one.
In this article, I want to introduce three concepts that will help your decision-making. For some readers these might be simple reminders. But for others, these could be life changing:
- Recognize your window of opportunity
- Understand what is sufficient for satisfaction
- The 80% rule
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Welcome New ANVCA Partner! - Tribal Carbon Partners
NATIVES DELIVERING CARBON OFFSETS TO NATIVE PEOPLE
Tribal Carbon Partners has been a leader in creating and monetizing carbon offsets and is the only American Indian owned and operated company in this field. Our team’s understanding of native values, combined with a firm handle on California’s Cap and Trade program, allows us to work with tribes to create and monetize carbon offsets within Indian Country.
Our team is comprised of current and former elected tribal leaders. We understand tribal governments and more importantly, tribal community values respecting tribal lands and sovereignty. We also have developed partnerships with other prominent firms in this industry, like America’s leading developer of carbon offsets, Finite Carbon Corporation, allowing us to deliver the right program at the best value for our tribal clients.
LEARN MORE
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