 by Don Hoff Jr. April 23, 2004
Tribal point of view, we believe it was down right disrespectful to the indigenous people of Alaska now that they are being told that they have to give up their birthright to subsist in accepting from the State and Federal Governments the privilege of using our traditional resources. It is the natural inherent right of Alaska Natives to subsist off the land combining their daily livelihood with that of nature's bountiful God Given resources. This is a fragile balance that will have an enormous negative impact on future generations of Alaska Natives if their inherent right is compromised. We are seeing the negative effects today in 2004. This continued erosion of inherent rights is putting the Native traditional, economic, cultural and spiritual way of life in immediate jeopardy. In the end those who are directly responsible will disrupt a way of life that has existed undisturbed in Alaska until 1867. The State of Alaska still to this day does not recognize Tribes or Indian Country! Yet the White people exploited (stolen) all of our natural resources, timber, oil, gold, copper, land, fish and game with impunity. Now, tell me that there is no discrimination or bigotry in Alaska to indigenous people. If you're not following what I am saying? Read the first sentence again. But, we are being denied our ancestral rights to fish and hunt our traditional foods. I say to the State of Alaska
and Federal Governments, give us back our God Given Right to
subsist! Alaska is Indian land, but we as Indian people never
denied anyone from subsisting off the land or sea to provide
for your family, no matter what color you are.
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