Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, holds a copy of House Bill 123, providing state recognition for Alaska’s 229 federally recognized Native tribes, at an event hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Photo provided by the Alaska Federation of Natives)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, center, holds a copy of House Bill 123, providing state recognition for Alaska’s 229 federally recognized Native tribes, at an event hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Photo provided by the Alaska Federation of Natives)

Bill recognizing Alaska Native Tribes signed into law

The bill serves as the first formal recognition of Alaska’s Indigenous people

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed House Bill 123 into law Thursday, marking the first time Alaska’s state government has formally recognized the state’s 229 federally recognized tribes. The bill doesn’t impact the legal status of Alaska tribes, but serves as the first formal recognition of Alaska’s Indigenous people.

Also signed into law Thursday was a bill sponsored by Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, under which tribes can apply to establish a State-Tribal compact school.

The signings were part of a four-hour-long lineup of speakers at the Thursday event, which was hosted by the Alaska Federation of Natives at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. AFN President Julie Kitka called the legislation’s “formal recognition” provided by the legislation a “historic step” for a successful relationship with the state government.

“The cultural survival of our Indigenous people is dependent on our ability to maintain our values, practice our traditions, and maintain freedom to live our lives well with dignity and respect for each other,” Kitka said in a Thursday press release.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy called the bill “a significant milestone” for Alaska and called the lack of formal tribal recognition until now “an oversight in history.”

“I’m glad this is being rectified today,” Dunleavy said.

Bill sponsor Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky, D-Bethel, called the measure “long overdue” in a statement provided by the governor’s office.

“I hope today is looked back on as the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration and partnership between the State and Alaska’s Tribes,” Zulkosky, who is Yup’ik, said in a Thursday release from the governor’s office.

First Lady Rose Dunleavy, who is Iñupiaq and from Noorvik, called Thursday’s signing “important.”

“Today we are recognizing our whole person as Natives,” the first lady said. “We’re recognizing the important role that tribes of Alaska play in our past, our present and our future. Our history and culture is also Alaska’s history and culture.”

Thursday’s full event can be streamed on the Alaska Federation of Natives Facebook page.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
King salmon fishing on Kasilof to close Thursday

If any king salmon is caught while fishing for other species, they may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

James Wardlow demonstrates flilleting a salmon with an ulu during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge to celebrate all things fish during weeklong event

Fish Week will take place July 16-19.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finalizes budget with deep cuts to programming, classrooms

Multiple members of the board said they were frustrated by the state’s failure to fund education.

Former KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School district finance department earns national awards

The two awards are based on comprehensive reviews of the district’s budget and financial reporting.

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Most Read