Respect: A native Value By John Moller October 27, 2014
Because of Governor Parnell's leadership there is now a Cooperative Agreement with the Tlingit Haida Central Council, Microsoft and the state, a MOA with the BIA intended to help with outstanding native allotment conveyances, 314 rural residents sitting on Boards and Commissions, a draft tribal courts agreement, an IV-E agreement with the Tanana Chiefs Conference, twice the number of VPSO's across the state. In addition and since Parnell has been in office, hundreds of millions of dollars have gone into rural Alaska for new clinics, elder care facilities, Tribal halls, ports, Senior centers, primary care centers, weatherization and other energy projects and the list goes on and on. After decades of litigation and numerous Governors, Parnell settled the Kasayulie case - paving the road for $146M in new rural school construction. Does this sound like Parnell is not working with the native community? While our AFN President is quick to criticize our Governor, a statewide elected official, it appears our Junior Senator Mark Begich gets a free pass. The AFN has passed resolutions over the years urging the federal Government to respect King Cove residents with their need for a life saving road. Remember - King Cove Corporation and the state and Alaska offered up 56,000 acres for 200 acres of federal land so King Cove could finish their road. Yet, Senator Begich, who is friendly to President Obama and his policies, did not deliver. If the AFN is in the criticizing game, let's make it across the board-shall we. John Moller About: "John Moller is an Aleut Corporation shareholder and currently serves as Governor Parnell's Senior Rural Affairs Advisor." Received October 27, 2014 - Published October 27, 2014
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