Land claims at the grass roots: 1966 letters and village newsletters from Willie Hensley's private collection

IN REPLY REFER TO:

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Nome District Office
P. 0. Box
Nome, Alaska 99762

October 4, 1966

Mr. William Hensley
Executive Director, NANA
c/o TUNDRA TIMES
P.0. Box 1287
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Dear Mr. Hensley:

Sorry for the delay in reply. Several copies of various articles of association of native character have been given to Mr. John Schaeffer, who had promised to forward them to you after a review. We hope that they may be useful in drafting the Northwest Alaska Native Association articles of association. If we may be of any assistance in drafting your bylaws, please feel free to ask us.

The Bureau is interested in the activities of the several native associations, particularly in regards to native land claims. It vas noted that you displayed a map of Alaska at the Kotzebue meeting showing the areas of land claims by different groups. We would like to have a copy of such a map showing the areas claimed and identified by each group claiming the areas defined. If you also have description of the boundaries, it would be helpful.

Please advise us your tentative plans for your Executive Committee meeting in Kotzebue.

Sincerely yours,
(Signature here)
R.E. McLean
Superintendent

By (signature here)
Arthur Nagozruk, Jr.
Tribal Operations Officer

 

On Alaskool by Willie Hensley:
"What Rights to Land Have the Alaska Natives?: The Primary Issue" - May 1966
Testimony at pre-ANCSA hearings - October 1969
Speech - "Why the Natives of Alaska Have a Land Claim" - November 1969
Bilingual Conference Speech - February, 1981
"The Founding and Formation of the Northwest Alaska Native Association" - March, 2000