Dozens of corporations were formed almost immediately following ANCSA’s passage, often without prior corporate experience.
Following ANCSA’s enactment, regional and village corporations were incorporated under Alaska state law in rapid succession. Many communities had little familiarity with corporate governance, fiduciary duties, or financial reporting requirements. Boards were formed quickly, bylaws drafted under time pressure, and operations launched with minimal guidance.
This period established path dependency: early governance norms, good or bad, became institutionalized. Many modern boards still operate within frameworks created during this accelerated formation phase.