Decision to Use a Corporate Model Instead of Tribal Governments

Rather than placing land and assets into trusts or strengthening tribal governments, Congress opted to create for-profit corporations under Alaska state law. This structure was intended to integrate Native assets into the American economic system, avoid federal trusteeship, and streamline administration. The decision was novel and largely untested at the scale envisioned.

This choice introduced dual expectations that continue to collide: cultural stewardship versus corporate profit, shareholder rights versus collective identity, and Indigenous values within non-Indigenous legal frameworks.