Module IX -Alaska Governance and Contemporary Issues

Essential Question:  Describe the major reasons given for statehood and explain how those reasons are reflected in the Alaska State Constitution. 

Book Covering Sagebrush Rebellion over States Rights

Back in the 1970's and 80's, many western states held that the federal government was overexerting its authority in determining the usage of federal lands in their states. Mostly, environmental issues were at the forefront.  Different special interest groups were lobbying the federal government to determine how these lands should be used.  In turn, the states took issue with the federal involvement. This movement became known as the Sagebrush Rebellion.  In one form or another, this issue of States Rights has been going on since the founding of our nation.  It and slavery were two of the biggest contributors to the Civil War.  It also provided much of the impetus driving Alaska and Alaskans to statehood.

Historical Photo of Fort Yellowstone

From the time of the Alaska Purchase until statehood, the federal government controlled most aspects of government and commerce.  As was common during the late 1800's, when the federal government needed something administered, and it had no idea of how to do it, it sent in the military.  The U.S. Army was the first to "run" Alaska from 1867-1884 during what became known as the Era of Neglect because the federal government had yet to come up with a means to govern Alaska.  As a side note, the federal government did the same thing with the world's first national park, Yellowstone.  For over three decades beginning in 1886 (since there was not yet a National Park Service), the army was given the care and keeping of this new national resource.  Today, at the park's headquarters at Mammoth Hot Springs, the original barracks, stables, and other structures of the then Fort Yellowstone have been transformed into administrative buildings.

From 1884 until 1912 Alaska was a district. A civilian government was formed through the First Organic Act of 1884. The federal government still retained power as the President of the United States appointed government officials. Land owners could include miners and missions, but not Native Alaskans. Like the Sagebrush Rebellion that was still almost a century away, outside entities increased their interest and control over Alaskan resources.

The 23 members of Alaska's first territorial legislature
assembled in the Elks Lodge Hall in Juneau, March 1913.
Photo courtesy of Alaska State Library and
Alaskan Southeaster Magazine

With the passage of the Second Organic Act of 1912, Alaska became a territory. Alaskans could now elect their own territorial legislature. Unfortunately, this governing body had limited powers. Virtually all of Alaska's land, natural resources, and even its government was controlled from Washington DC. After World War II, planning and preparation for statehood gained momentum as a state constitution was written during the winter of 1955-56. Even though special interest groups, including the salmon industry, increased their lobbying efforts due to the loss of influence that statehood would bring, the bill to make Alaska a state passed in 1958. On January 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state making its residents full citizens of the United States of America and giving Alaska all the rights and privileges entitled to the other 48 states.

Courtesy of University of Alaska Fairbanks UAF-1976-21-282  Statehood backers
celebrate: Alaska statehood backers and members of the U.S. Congress celebrate
 the final passage of the statehood bill in the Senate with a 49-star flag. From left, front row,
Sen. Warren Magnuson of Washington; Ernest Gruening, former governor of Alaska
and senator-elect; Sen. Frank Church of Idaho; Sen. Thomas Kuchel of California;
Alaska territorial Gov. Mike Stepovich; Sen. Harry M. Jackson of Washington;
and Rep.-elect Ralph J. Rivers. At left rear is Rep. Leo O'Brian of New York.

The already accepted constitution provided the means whereby the newly added state could function.  It provided for state and local governments where citizens from all across the state could have their voices heard and where decisions, when possible, were to be made at the local level.  (See: Article 10 - Local Government)
It has provided that all citizens have equal rights.  Article 1 - Declaration of Rights, Section 1, Inherent Rights reads:  "This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry; that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protection under the law; and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the State."

A crew scooping live salmon out of a fish trap into a barge.

In Cook Inlet, traps were built along the beaches
and could catch and hold as many as 20,000 salmon at a time.

Photo courtesy of McLane Collection.

It also strikes a decisive blow to the powerful Salmon Industry, both literally and metaphorically. In the constitution, Ordinance No. 3 - Abolition of Fish Traps states: "As a matter of immediate public necessity, to relieve economic distress among individual fishermen and those dependent upon them for a livelihood, to conserve the rapidly dwindling supply of salmon in Alaska, to insure fair competition among those engaged in commercial fishing, and to make manifest the will of the people of Alaska, the use of fish traps for the taking of salmon for commercial purposes is hereby prohibited in all the coastal waters of the State."



Examine Question:  Identify the Alaska Senate and House Districts in which you live (Use current, not pending, letter and number.) Identify the name and political party of your state senator and representative. Identify the type of local government you have (city? borough? what class?) Identify the tribal government, if any, in your area, and if possible find out if it is an IRA or traditional council.

Alaska Legislative Districts 2002-2012



Senator Tom Wagoner (R)

Representative Kurt Olson (R)

Soldotna is part of House District 33, represented by Republican Kurt Olson.  Soldotna's Senator is Republican Tom Wagoner of District Q.  Soldotna is an incorporated 1st Class City in the Kenai Peninsula Borough.  It has a Council-Manager form of government with The Honorable Peter A. Micciche as Mayor.  The governing council consists of six members and the mayor.  It was not included in the Alaska Natives Claims Settlement Act therefore it is not recognized as a Native Village. 





Three Blog Reviews:
In The Alaskan Adventure Lane does a great job of personalizing and giving his views of the PFD.  Nicely written, good layout, cool graphics.

Heather does a good job of explaining ANILCA and its ramifications.

Kelley makes a great statement:  "One thing that I have discovered is the land that Natives call their home isn’t just home because of the financial value. It is home because it is a way of life, it is what they know. The resources that Natives use the land for go so much farther than the bank."  Well done.

Evaluate: So much to go over and all of it essential to the course.  I found all of it interesting and only wish I had more time to explore and digest all of it.  The Alaska Constitution is indeed quite the document.  I really enjoyed the series of videos that covered its origin and the details that went into its creation.  It really brought home the idea that everyone there had the goal of coming up with a document that would represent all Alaskans and that would remain a viable work well into the future.