 |
Alaska State Legislature House and Senate Democrats |
WEB: CONTACT: PHONE: FAX: EMAIL: |
http://www.akdemocrats.org Mike Doogan, Press Secretary (907) 465-3842 or 723-2572 (907) 465-5125 press@akdemocrats.org |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · May 2, 2004 |
Senate Approves Lincoln’s Old Minto Land Transfer
JUNEAU – The Senate today unanimously approved Senate Bill 132, sponsored by Senator Georgianna Lincoln (D-Rampart) and co-sponsored by all of her Democratic colleagues. The bill allows for the transfer of approximately 32 acres of land located at the Old Minto village site from the Minto Flats State Game Refuge to the Native Village of Minto. The bill passed the Senate 20-0 on reconsideration today.
"It gives me great pleasure to return these ancestral lands to the rightful owners, the Minto Athabascan elders," said Senator Lincoln.
Old Minto village is located on the banks of the Tanana River, about 50 miles northwest of Fairbanks. Old Minto was the home of the Minto Band of Athabascan Indians until 1969, when the people relocated to the present village site of Minto due to flooding and erosion. The residents of Minto never intended to give up their ancestral lands at Old Minto when they were forced to move.
Despite relocation, the people of Minto continue to maintain a strong spiritual attachment to Old Minto. Elders and their descendants go there to camp, and keep up graves of their ancestors. The cabins, church, community hall and store building still exist today.
Currently, the Interior Athabascan Cultural Heritage Education Institute (ACHEI) operates cultural activities at the site, and the Tanana Chiefs Conference also conducts an Alcohol Recovery Camp at Old Minto.
SB132 moves now to the House for consideration.
###
