Alaskans have expressed to me their anxiety over recent press reports regarding CIRI. Here is a perspective I have shared with them.

All Alaska's regional corporations are important to Alaska's economy. In the 1950s when I was at the Department of the Interior, settlement of our Native claims was a dream - a dream kept alive by Section 4 of our Statehood Act. That dream became a reality in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Since then, ANCSA has often been modified with unanimous approval of the Senate based upon the consensus of Alaska's Native people.

What made the act significantly different from the South 48 Indian Claims was that ANCSA settled all Alaska claims and created village and regional corporations through an act of Congress - all South 48 Indian Claims were settled by treaty or individual tribal lawsuits against the federal government.

Regional corporations have made major contributions to the lives of Alaska Native people enabling them to preserve their culture while creating jobs and developing economic opportunity. By allowing them to become shareholders, directors, and officers, these corporations brought a learning curve to Alaska Natives in business and economics. Their success has been phenomenal. As my friend Byron Mallott once said, these corporations are "an epic story benefiting Alaskans."

CIRI is one of the stars of that "epic story." For more than 20 years, Roy Huhndorf guided CIRI on its path to success. It was a rocky road but Roy developed CIRI's programs despite incessant criticism. I worked with him to assure full satisfaction of CIRI's rights, which led CIRI into national investments and national prominence.

Through Roy, I met Carl Marrs, CIRI's current president and CEO. Having worked with Carl closely for many years, I have high regard for his leadership. Carl is my close personal friend and advisor on many issues. He has taken CIRI into new national and international investments, which benefit CIRI shareholders and have pumped millions of dollars into Alaska's economy. Carl has worked as hard for CIRI as I have for Alaska.

Debate and dissent are integral parts of the Alaska lifestyle, indeed, parts of our American lifestyle. Our Native corporations face both, which is a sign of corporate maturity in a healthy and vibrant democracy.

CIRI competes in the global economy. Its reputation in Congress makes me proud to work with Carl and his management team. CIRI has shown it has what it takes to be a beacon of success for indigenous peoples everywhere. Their success is Alaska's success.

Now, CIRI's shareholders face serious issues. We all hope they will continue to exercise careful, reasoned judgment. The impact of their decisions will be felt by future CIRI shareholders, all Alaskans, and by others around the world who seek to do business with Alaska's regional corporations.

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