Oct. 13, 2014

Calista Corporation’s Board of Directors Oppose Ballot Measure 2

(Anchorage, Alaska) –

Through a unanimous vote, the Calista Corporation Board of Directors oppose Ballot Measure 2, the Alaska Marijuana Legalization measure.

The use of marijuana, which is illegal under federal law, has been found to be detrimental to health, behavior and well-being. The Board and Calista management believe legalized recreational marijuana will have adverse impacts on communities throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

The Alaska Department of Labor reports that as of August 2014, the unemployment rate in the Bethel Census Area is 16 percent and a staggering 22.8 percent in the Wade Hampton Census Area. This compares to the state and national unemployment averages, which are both 6.3 percent.

One key standard for employment is to be free of illicit drugs. The Y-K Delta needs public support and legislation that aim to promote work environments free of drugs that negatively impact both employability and safety.

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The second largest of the original 13 Alaska Native Corporations, Calista Corporation was established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 and represents more than 12,000 shareholders. The Calista region encompasses more than 6.5 million acres and includes 56 villages, which are incorporated into 46 individual village corporations. Since 1994, Calista has provided more than $3.5 million in scholarships and since inception more than $27.6 million in dividends and Elders’ Benefit Program distributions to its shareholders and descendants.

Calista Corporation is the parent company of more than 35 subsidiaries in the following industries: military defense contracting, construction, communications, real estate, environmental and natural resource development, and information technology and media services. Calista can be found on Facebook and Twitter.