Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land

by Walter R. Borneman

When Hensley’s task force reported its recommendations in January 1968, they fell into three key areas: first, that 40 million acres be awarded to Alaska Natives in fee simple (absolute ownership) and not in trust as under the reservation system; second, that cash payments from 10 percent of the income produced from the sale or lease of certain oil and gas rights up to $65 million be awarded; and finally, that the land and cash settlements be allocated to and paid through business corporations to be organized by region. The dicey question of whether the Native land selections would be made before, after, or coincidentally with state selections was not addressed. While there would be numerous versions and much cantankerous debate before a final bill was passed, the basic components of land and dollars distributed to collective corporations rather than to individual Natives would survive the process.