"The problem is simply this: What are the rights of the Alaskan Natives to the property and resources upon which they have lived since time immemorial?" --William Hensley (Igagruk)
Alaskan Natives depended (and still depend) on land for their livelihood. Whether it is access to hunting and fishing grounds for subsistence, or rights to the resources of the land (which have always been the source of wealth in Alaska), the health and prosperity of Alaskan Native communities are closely tied to their traditional lands.
In the first decades after purchase, so few Americans came to Alaska that there was little conflict over land. But with the development on new industries and transportation infrastructure in the wake of the Gold Rush, that changed. As more and more Americans and American companies came to Alaska, conflict over land between Americans and Natives increased. The question of what land belonged to Alaskan Natives and what land was open for development by other Americans was a persistent issue. In this project we will explore a variety of primary sources surrounding the question of "What is Native Land?