Native Sovereignty, Are The Native Alaskans Owed or Have They Sold?

During the 1800's the Russians were exploring a new land. This became known as Alaska. What they found was not only a new land, but also a new people. The United States of America bought Alaska from Russia in 1867. With the new land also came the native people. They brought with them their own culture and traditions. They abused and took advantage of the native people. They stole their land, their belongings and their culture. Many natives eventually died from the white mans diseases.

Until 1971 there was no reform for the native people. The natives of Alaska now want the right to sovereignty. They now want the right to be able to perform taxation and law enforcement. This would also include other such powers that are usually reserved for the state and federal government. This would include but is not limited to marriages, divorces, child custody and many, many more.

Although there may be proof to the contrary, nonetheless, I believe that native sovereignty is wrong. They have been paid compensation for their hardships, their traditional way of life is no longer existent and enough is enough.

With the Native Claims Settlement Act, Congress did away with native sovereignty in Alaska. In 1971 the State of Alaska made a deal with the Alaskan natives to give them twelve large corporations, 200 smaller ones, 44 million acres of their choice land, and large amounts of continual money in exchange for their Aboriginal rights. Each month every registered Alaskan Native receives a compensation check. Natives have profited greatly from their lands. Logging has been performed for years without state control or concern. They were paid and are continually paid for the oil revenue and other such Alaskan investments. They have been paid for their sufferings and now they want more?

"Eskimos" were once fierce hunters and trappers that lived a very successful subsistence lifestyle. Where once were dogsleds and snow shoes are now snow machines and all terrain vehicles. The traditional tribal way of life is very different from todays' tribe. They have been greatly modernized. The State of Alaska has given them the right to hunt special animals at special times and have special quantities of these. They have been granted special rights and privileges that are not available to non-native Alaskans. They are even given preferential treatment in hiring for jobs. Now they are requesting more?

The natives were here first and they were mistreated. However, why must every man continue to pay for that? Many natives have got good jobs and can maintain a great lifestyle. They want the additional right of taxation and law enforcement of their people and all the other people that may walk onto their lands. They have kicked people out of the native villages, such as the mentally ill. The United States cannot kick the mentally ill out of the United States. Why should natives be so special?

Creating native sovereignty will create as many as 225 sovereign native villages. That is the equivalent to having 225 different nations inside the boundaries of the State of Alaska. Is this right?

Natives have a past, a present and a future. Their heritage does need to be protected. However, they are no better or worse than the average Alaskan. We all need to work together to create a better future for every Alaskan. The issue of Native Sovereignty is an issue that Alaskans will have to face sooner or later. We paid them once and I don't see why we should have to pay them again and again just to be here. Why don't we just pay every one on the earth to live here? This debate has been sited as war on native people. It must not be that way. Can't we all stop acting like we are five years old in the sand box fighting about whose dirt you can play in? The natives want all these special rights and benefits although, if they were to take them out and take away their gasoline and ammunition in this day and age they would probably not survive. No matter how much they may try to deny it, the fact is that they have been modernized and there is no going back. Every American should be informed of this issue because it involves every one and their future.