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CULTURAL BACKGROUND

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

On December 18, 1971 an Act of Congress was signed into law to settle the 100-year-old question of aboriginal land rights of Alaska Natives. The Act created 13 regional corporations and over 230 village corporations. These corporations were established to receive the money and manage the lands on behalf of their Alaska Native Shareholders. To qualify for enrollment in one of the ANCSA corporations, an individual must have been born on or before December 18, 1971, be a U.S. citizen and possess at least one-quarter Alaska Native blood quantum.

ANCSA Resource Center

Founding of Calista Corporation

Founded in 1972, Calista Corporation is the second largest of the 13 regional corporations formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. It is a business corporation formed under state and federal laws, including the Settlement Act and its amendments. Under the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1974, P.L. 93.638, Calista is also designated as a minority-owned enterprise.

Calista's land entitlement totals more than 6.5 million acres. The Calista land entitlement is located along two major river systems, the Yukon and the Kuskokwim. There are known occurrences of precious minerals such as gold, silver, and platinum within the Calista Region. In addition, studies have shown that Calista lands may have hydrocarbon potential. The Calista Board of Directors and management are working together to plan natural resource and land management programs that will increase profits, create Shareholder employment opportunities and maximize the value of corporate land holdings.

The Calista Region includes 56 villages, which are incorporated into 46 individual ANCSA village corporations. The Calista Region originally enrolled more than 13,300 Shareholders, and encompasses a homogenous consumer market covering an area over 56,000 square miles in size with a total population of approximately 20,000 people, living in 49 separate communities.

Alaska Native Cultures of the Calista Region

The Alaska Native cultures that dominate the Calista Region are the most intact of all the Alaska Native cultures, with a majority of the people speaking their traditional language. Calista Corporation represents the largest ethnic population in southwest Alaska. The Region is characterized by a subsistence economy in which the great majority of the Shareholders are involved in activities relating to their own subsistence needs.

The proximity to water of nearly all village locations emphasizes the importance of fishing in the subsistence economy. With the exception of a few villages that owe their origin to mining, trade, or transportation, most of the villages in the Region originated as fishing villages.

To the Alaska Native cultural groups of the Region - the Yup'ik, Cup'ik and Athabascan people - the subsistence way of life represents not only a means of making a living, but also a traditional and cherished way of life vital to the survival of the Alaska Native cultures. Calista Corporation is working with villagers to create economic development opportunities that improve the economic and social well-being of our people.

Calista's vision statement clearly states the importance of linking our proud past to a successful future. We believe that with strong corporate and village leadership, we can achieve regional unity and improve the quality of life of those we serve.