Suit challenges status of Alaska Native village

Wednesday, October 10, 2007  

A decades-old suit that challenges the legal status of an Alaska Native village is headed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Rancher Omar Stratman filed his case in 1976. He says the village of Leisnoi does not qualify as a village corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

In December 2006, the Interior Department issued a decision in favor of Leisnoi's status. The Interior Board of Land Appeals and a federal judge have backed the corporation as well.

But Stratman hopes to prevail and prevent Leisnoi from acquiring land on Kodiak and Woody islands that the corporation acquired under ANCSA.

Get the Story:
Leisnoi claims ANCSA land after 30-year battle (The Kodiak Daily Mirror 10/9)

$rl Stratman v. Leisnoi, Inc - http://www.lbblawyers.com/stratman.htm
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Network - http://www.ancsa.net