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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2002

The Alaska Legislature called an end to its work on Tuesday, leaving public talks on subsistence by the wayside.

Gov. Tony Knowles (D) said there is not enough support for his proposal to amend the state's constitution to recognize a subsistence preference for Alaska Native and rural residents. He will not ask lawmakers to reconvene to resolve the issue.

Senate Resources Chairman John Torgerson is planning closed door hearings on the topic. He is inviting the Alaska Federation of Natives and sport and fishermen groups to participate.

A subsistence amendment is sought to bring state law in line with federal law which requires protection of Alaska Native rights. The state would be able to resume control over waterways and other resources if it complies with federal statutes.

Lawmakers will still convene for a special session next month to address other outstanding issues.

Get the Story:
STATE: Session sputters to an end (The Anchorage Daily News 5/22)
Groups to meet on subsistence (AP 5/22)

Relevant Links:
Subsistence Amendment, Alaska Governor Tony Knowles - http://www.gov.state.ak.us/subsistence_amendment
Native subsistence rights, Native American Rights Fund - http://www.narf.org/pubs/justice/1999SPRING/spring1999.htm
Alaska Federation of Natives - http://www.akfednatives.org
Katie John et al. v. State of Alaska - http://www.mountainstateslegal.org/legal_cases.cfm?legalcaseid=64

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More on Katie John:
Katie John case having effects (5/11)
Alaska Native subsistence case upheld (5/8)
Norton cutting old associations (1/25)
Norton's legal work criticized (1/12)
Alaska Native elder dies (12/4)