URL: https://www.indianz.com/News/archives/002195.asp

Monday, October 27, 2003

"Ted Stevens gave a hell of a speech Friday morning. Speaking by videotape to the Alaska Federation of Natives convention at the Egan Center, Stevens defended himself against charges of racism in his opposition to attempts by some Natives to assert tribal sovereignty in Alaska.

Few things in Alaska are as complex as the situation surrounding tribes. Much of the confusion lies in the definition of what a tribe is. When you use the word, you could mean anything from a sovereign nation -- that is, a nation that gets to make and enforce its own laws -- to a group of people who share a similar cultural history. Alaska has at least one of each of these, plus tribes that exist to deliver state or federal government services, tribes that are de facto local governments, and probably tribes with other functions as well.

Stevens has set himself against tribes of the sovereign-nation sort.

Why?"

Get the Story:
Mike Doogan: Stevens, both the politician and person, talks to AFN convention (The Anchorage Daily News 10/26)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Stevens: 'Sovereignty is not the answer' (10/27)

Relevant Documents:
Transcript: Sen. Stevens to Alaska Federation of Natives (October 24, 2003)

Relevant Links:
Alaska Federation of Natives - http://www.nativefederation.org/flash.html
Sen. Ted Stevens - http://stevens.senate.gov

Related Stories:
Stevens rider would benefit Native corporation (10/24)
Native leader disputes 'phantom' tribe label (10/24)
Murkowski, now governor, addresses AFN (10/24)
Murkowski, now governor, addresses AFN (10/24)
Editorial: Alaska cannot afford full tribal sovereignty (10/23)
Stevens won't back away from Native funding issue (10/23)
Alaska Natives discuss village law enforcement (10/23)
Live coverage of AFN convention available (10/23)
Alaska Native: 'We became the other N-word' (10/21)
Alaska Natives meeting for annual conference (10/20)
Editorial: Stevens should apologize for remarks (10/13)
Murkowski won't offer opinion on Native riders (10/13)
Stevens blames sovereignty push on lower 48 group (10/9)
Stevens remarks on Alaska Natives draw fire (10/7)
Alaska Natives oppose limits to tribal court funding (09/23)
Alaska court hears suit on village law enforcement (09/18)
Bill cuts funds to Alaska tribal justice systems (09/10)
Alaska Natives debunk federal funding myths (05/07)
Stevens files Alaska Native gaming rider (01/24)
Alaska Natives press unity on sovereignty (10/25)
Stevens: Too many Alaska Native tribes (10/24)
AFN events kick off today in Anchorage (10/21)
GOP request has Alaska Natives fuming (1/28)
Stevens: 'Problem' with Alaska Natives (01/29)

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