Juneau -- Tuesday, the Senate approved a resolution clarifying that urban Alaska Natives are entitled to the same subsistence rights exercised by this state's rural residents. SJR 31 requests Congress to clarify the provisions pertaining to subsistence found in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).

"A significant number of Alaska Natives reside in urban areas and they rely on renewable resources for physical, economical, traditional, social and cultural existence as do rural residents," said Senator Jerry Ward. "The federal preference established under Title VIII, ANILCA, denies urban natives the ability to participate in subsistence activities to the same degree enjoyed by rural residents."

This resolution is a request from the Legislature to the United States Congress to clarify whether federal lawmakers truly intended to deny Alaska Natives living in urban areas the same opportunity to engage in subsistence activities on the same level enjoyed by rural Alaskan residents. "This disparity in federal law is significant and potentially divisive for the residents of urban and rural Alaska," said Ward.

SJR 31 now heads to the House for consideration.

Sponsor Statement for SJR 31