JOB OPPORTUNITIES: ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS AND NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES, RESOURCES TO RECLAMATION (Invited Presentation)

There are fundamental differences between Alaska’s 13 Native Corporations and the more than 300 Indian Reservations in the lower 48 states. There are also similarities: The indigenous people of both Alaska and the lower 48 states, strive to balance resource development, job creation and environmental protection in these dominantly rural areas. Geoscience professionals play an important role in providing information and advice on the nature of these mineral resources and the potential benefits and environmental drawbacks associated with development. In Alaska, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 1971, provided Native Alaskans with over 44 million acres of land in settlement of aboriginal land claims. The Red Dog Mine, in northern Alaska, is owned by NANA Native Corporation and operated by Teck. It is one of the largest lead-zinc-silver mines in the world and in 2011 distributed $169 million in net proceeds to Alaska Native Corporations.

Geoscience professionals are engaged in all aspects of land and resource management on Native Alaskan and Native American lands, some of the largest landowners in the United States. In addition to mineral resources, land management activities include: water rights, dam safety, forest hydrology and pipeline safety. Native Corporations are especially active in trying to train and recruit young students with math and science backgrounds for future careers in geoscience.