Module IX

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.


The push towards statehood occurred over time as Alaskans moved toward increased representation within the United States. Following the purchase of Alaska in 1867, there were four periods of government in Alaska: 

Territory of Alaska Senate, 1947
VILDA ASL Groups Legislature 1940s-5

1867-1884 Era of Neglect  
1884-1912 District
1912-1859 Territorial 
1959 - present  Statehood


Throughout these periods, Alaska's struggled under the leadership of officials in far away Washington D.C.  Statehood was viewed by many as a way for citizens to gain influence and local control over Alaska-based issues.  The "Era of Neglect" from 1867 to 1884 was a period where Alaska had federal oversight yet no specific governance plan for Alaska.  With oversight by the US army, treasury department  and the US Navy during this period, Alaskans received poor attention, protections, and services. Over time, Washington D.C. outlined various forms of government, including district and territorial governments.   District and territorial governors were from outside of Alaska and often spent less than four years in the territory. Representation for Alaskan interests was limited or non-existent.  Business interests with large holdings in Alaska had company headquarters in the lower 48, which allowed other states to influence Alaska-based issues. The state constitution outlines the system of government in Alaska in articles II, III, and IV which includes the legislative, executive and judiciary branches.  

49th State of the Union, Stamped Envelope
VILDA ASL-MS234-1-2-72

Land rights and issues regarding the ownership and development of lands saw increased government oversight as Alaska pushed toward statehood. The federal government held control of 99% of the land prior to statehood. Staking and holding mining claims was a major issue for the influx of miners coming to Alaska to seek 
their fortunes and laws were established to set policies.    With statehood, Alaska was granted 367 million acres of land by the 
federal government. Disputes over management of the vital fishing industry, and specifically the canned salmon industry, was another example over federal vs. Alaska based control that pushed the territory towards statehood.   Article VIII: Natural Resources of the Alaska Constitution outlines policies over private and public land use and codes as well as management of fisheries.  

49th star added to the flag.  June 30, 1958.  
Federal Building Anchorage, Alaska
VILDA  AMRC b63-14-1

With statehood established in 1959, Alaskans had the ability to create laws and policies governed by state and local government that was reflected in the Alaska Constitution.  

Examine Question
Identify the senate and house districts, representatives and political parties in which you live:
Juneau, Alaska 
Senate District B,  Represented by Dennis Egan (D)
House District 3, Represented by Beth Kertulla (D)
House District 4, Represented by Kathy Munoz (R)  


Identify the type of local government in where you live:  
The 2010 census showed 31,275 residents in the City and Borough which includes primarily urban and some rural residents covering and area of 3,255 square miles.  Juneau is a unified city and borough and operates as a "home rule" municipality as defined in the Alaska State Constitution.  The government is lead by a city mayor and an assembly of nine members.  The borough is divided into two precincts. 


Identify Tribal Governments where you live:

Tribal government in the City and Borough of Juneau includes the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Central Council), Aukquan Traditional Council,  and the Douglas Island Indian Association.  The federally recognized Indian Tribe is a Traditional Council that  represents 28,000 Tlingit and Haida Indians worldwide. The Central Council website describes the tribal government as, "We are a sovereign entity and have a government to government relationship to the United States."


Douglas Island Indian Association represents Tlingit people who come from Douglas Island, Taku River, and Stephen's Passage shorelines.  It is a federally recognized Indian Tribe and has a constitution modeled after the Indian Organization Act, also known as an IRA. The Aukquan Traditional Council is not federally recognized.  Little information regarding this tribe is readily available on digital resources.  


Colleague's Blogs
 Shannon's blog has a beautiful layout-especially the maps to enhance her writings.  


I added to Holly's blog that I too am experiencing the sense of "interconnectedness" through this class as I drive around town and consider the history.  


Interested in Chris and his ability to take some of the course right into the classroom.  I am interested into the responses his students had to the role Alaska played in WWII. 


Reflections
I found this unit very interesting to look at how Alaska become incorporated into the federal government at Statehood and the events that influenced and guided the constitution.  I had never looked at the Alaska constitution as a whole document and found this to be a  richer experience as I have increased knowledge of the history of Alaska.  I finished up this blog entry on a PC rather than my Mac and found I didn't have as many glitches. Unsure if Blogger is more PC friendly.