02.12.19

Sullivan Applauds Senate Passage of Lands Package

Legislation Includes Version of Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) applauded the passage of S. 47, the National Resources Management Act, which included a version of Senator Sullivan’s Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act. This provision would allow several thousand Alaska Natives who served during the Vietnam-era to apply for their congressionally-promised Native allotment after they missed their initial opportunity to do so because of their service.

“For decades, a special group of Alaska veterans have suffered an injustice due to their service during the Vietnam War,” said Senator Sullivan. “My colleagues and I today took a significant step toward righting this wrong and ensuring Alaska Native vets have an opportunity to finally receive the land allotment they’ve previously been denied.

“The passage of this provision is the result of a broad team keeping the fire burning together, including Senator Murkowski, former Interior Secretary Zinke, and a number of Alaska Native vets who personally advocated for this legislative fix. I also want to thank Congressman Young for his commitment to getting this important land package and the modified allotment provision across the goal line in the House.”

The Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity provision resolves a number of issues that impaired the success of the Alaska Native Veterans Act of 1998. Importantly, it establishes a separate program to allow Alaska Native veterans who served during the Vietnam War era to apply for and receive an allotment of land in Alaska. The provision also provides a mechanism to identify lands that are available for selection and ensures that individuals will be able to use the land, including for subsistence. These changes will remedy inequities that Alaska Native Vietnam veterans have faced as a result of their service and unworkable federal laws that Congress previously passed to facilitate the allotments. 

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