"Make it Monday" forum - ANCSA 50th Anniversary

The ANCSA Regional Association represents the presidents and chief executive officers of the twelve land-based Alaska Native regional corporations that were created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. ARA member corporations are owned by over 140,000 Alaska Native shareholders. ARA’s purpose is to promote and foster continued growth and economic strength of Alaska Native regional corporations for the benefit of their Alaska Native shareholders and communities.

2021 marked the 50th anniversary of ANCSA, celebrating the creation of the first socially responsible, for-profit corporations. In the 50 years since their creation by Congress, Alaska Native corporations have grown from their humble beginnings to become an integral part of the Alaska economy. Last year, Alaska Native corporations comprised 19 of the 20 top-grossing businesses in the state are either Alaska Native regional or village corporations.

ARA recently released a 30-minute documentary, ANCSA: Our People. Our Land. Our Future., which looks back at the first 50 years of ANCSA using historical footage and photos and captures a glimpse of what’s to come through interviews with Alaska Native leaders, policymakers, and culture bearers. Learn more and stream the documentary at ancsaregional.com/ancsaat50film.
 

Kim Reitmeier is the Executive Director of the ANCSA Regional Association. Kim is Sugpiaq, a Koniag, Inc. and Ouzinkie Native Corporation shareholder, and a Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak member. 

Prior to becoming ARA’s Executive Director in 2011, she served as Chief of Staff to the President of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company and Director of Alaska Heritage Tours, where she oversaw tour package operations for CIRI Alaska Tourism.

A University of Alaska Anchorage graduate, Kim is deeply involved in her community at every level. She received the Alaska Journal of Commerce’s Top 40 Under 40 Award, was inducted into the Anchorage ATHENA Society, and was honored as a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2021. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Alaska Community Foundation, Alaska Chamber, Alaska Business Week, and the Providence Alaska Region, and is a past advisory board member of the UAA Alaska Native Organizational Management program.

Kim has made education, advocacy, and collaboration cornerstones of ARA’s work. From leading a broad coalition to the U.S. Supreme Court to secure recognition of Alaska Native corporations to educating local, state, and federal policymakers about the unique features of ANCSA, Kim is passionate about and dedicated to empowering Alaska Native people everywhere.