Alaska Native and Rural Issues

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Since time immemorial, Alaska Native people have called Alaska home.  From the rainforests of Southeast to the rolling tundra of the North Slope, the needs throughout Alaska Native and rural communities are unique and wide-ranging. A “one size fits all” approach to challenges does not accommodate for the broad political, economic and cultural differences in these communities.

As a new member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Begich is committed to working closely with tribes, municipalities, non-profit organizations, Alaska Native Corporations, and individual Alaska Native constituents on issues from energy and education to food security in rural Alaska.

With almost half the tribes in the United States located in Alaska, Senator Begich understands the importance of the federal trust responsibility with the first peoples of this country.  As he has stated before, “We cannot have a strong urban Alaska unless rural Alaska is thriving, too.” He believes that through strong government-to-government consultation and partnership, we can empower rural and remote communities toward another 10,000 years of success. 

Recent Alaska Native and Rural videos

Rural Health Care

Delivering health care to people spread throughout isolated communities in a territory nearly a fifth the size of the continental United States is expensive and extremely challenging. Alaska’s tribal health community has implemented many cutting-edge technologies to address these challenges, such as telemedicine and extensively trained community health aides. However, despite these advances, more can be done to raise the level of wellness within Alaska Native communities.

Senator Begich continues to fight for increased funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) Alaska Area, which is continually underfunded.  Closing the health care funding gap Alaska’s tribal health organizations struggle under, he also continues to support increased funds for Contract Support Costs, the Joint Venture program and the staffing packages guaranteed through contracts with the federal government.

Senator Begich played a crucial role in securing funding for four new health facilities in Barrow, Nome, Fairbanks and Wasilla.  The clinics in Barrow, Fairbanks and Wasilla were Joint Venture projects between the IHS and the local tribal health non-profit.  The new hosiptial in Nome was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Senator Begich looks forward to seeing the improvements in the delivery of health care for these regions throughout the State, as well as the positive economic impact they will have in their region.

Through new investments in hospitals and clinics, Senator Begich continues to fight for quality health care in both urban and rural Alaska.

Rural Energy

Energy costs in parts of rural Alaska are among the highest in the nation. Most of Alaska's approximately 200 rural villages can be reached only by airplane, riverboat, or snow machine in the winter. Dependent heavily on the cost of transportation, fuel prices in Alaska’s most remote villages can cost $10 per gallon or more.

On average, rural Alaskans spend about 40 percent of their income on energy costs alone.  Senator Begich believes this is unsustainable and unacceptable and is working with state and federal agencies to address this issue. 

He believes we need a two-pronged approach to the energy crisis.  First, we must invest in renewable sources of energy, such as wind, geothermal, bio-mass, hyro-power and tidal power.  Second, he is also working to make exisiting energy sources, such as diesel, more efficient and to increase the use of energy efficient appliances, lighting and home weatherization.

Subsistence Rights

Senator Begich strongly supports subsistence rights for Alaska Native people. This traditional way of life, practiced for thousands of years, must be preserved for the nutritional, economic and cultural well-being of Alaska Natives and rural Alaskans.  He recognizes the critical role subsistence plays in the food security of rural communities. 

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, Senator Begich has called for more funding for research to study Alaska salmon populations in the oceans.  He has advocated for a stronger co-management system of subsistence resources, and continues to bring attention to the issue by calling for Senate field hearings to be conducted in Alaska.   He continues to work with the State of Alaska, U.S. Senate Committees, and federal agencies to ensure subsistence rights are protected. 

Small Business Administration 8(a) Program

Alaska Native regional and village corporations have used the Small Business Administration 8(a) program to form business partnerships in fields ranging from defense contracting to construction. As a result, Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) have created economic development opportunities, distributed millions of dollars in dividends and deployed other benefits throughout Alaska. Senator Begich is working to protect the 8(a) contracting preferences for Alaska Native Corporations and tribes to ensure these organizations remain a cornerstone of Alaska's economy.

  • Alaska Staff Contact

    Agatha Erickson

    Rural Liaison

    (907) 271-5915

  • DC Staff Contact

    Andrea Sanders

    Legislative Assistant

    (202) 224-3004

Recent Legislation

Related Documents

Recent Alaska Native and Rural Press Releases

December 2012
Date Title
12/12/12 Begich Secures Seat on Senate Indian Affairs Committee
October 2012
Date Title
10/2/12 Begich presses DOD on policy that harms 8(a) contractors
September 2012
Date Title
9/21/12 Alaska Delegation Introduces Denali Commission Reauthorization Bill
June 2012
Date Title
6/7/12 Begich Introduces Rural Teacher Housing Bill Files
6/5/12 Delegation Introduces Legislation to Support Alaska Native Subsistence Whaling Efforts

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