ALASKA NATIVES COMMISSION
JOINT FEDERAL-STATE COMMISSION
ON
POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AFFECTING
ALASKA NATIVES
4000 Old Seward Highway, Suite 100
Anchorage,
Alaska 99503
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ANCHORAGE TESTIMONY - OCTOBER
17, 1992
DEPOSITION EXHIBIT #2 - TESTIMONY
OF GLEN LANKARD JR.
EYAK TRADITIONAL ELDERS COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 92-1
The Eyak Traditional Elders Council was reunited to defend and protect our rich heritage, culture, language and ancestral lands from becoming completely assimilated.
WHEREAS: The Eyak Indians existence is quickly
and quietly being erased of all physical evidence, except written
record. The Eyak Indians were the last "rediscovered tribe" in
North America in 1933 by Fredrica deLaguna, we will also have
the ironic honor of being the first native tribe in Alaska
to lose their native language.
WHEREAS: The Eyak Indians ancestry dates back 3500 years to the Athabascan tribes of the Interior of Alaska. Every recorded map indicates existence along the southern coastline of Alaska, from Yakutat to Cordova.
WHEREAS: Alaska's "body of law" clearly points out that in 1741, when the Russian fur traders came here to exploit our resources, this land was Eyak Territory. In 1867, when the United States purchased approximately 240 acres of Russian trading posts and the Russians right to trade for 7.2 million dollars, this land was Eyak Territory. In 1889, when the first canneries blocked off the traditional salmon runs on the Copper River Delta to the Eyak Indians, this land was Eyak Territory. In 1906, when Cordova, the city, was founded and the "Railroad Invasion" began by Michael J. Heney, this land was Eyak Territory. In 1959, when the United States declared our "Indian Country" the
49th State, this land was Eyak Territory. In 1971, when Congress
enacted the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act law, this land
was Eyak Territory.
WHEREAS: In 1992 the Eyak Indians are forced to defend and protect our fundamental human rights, our cultural right of existence and our sacred ancestral land from further unwarranted destruction.
WHEREAS: In the present Eyak Village Council and the Eyak Village Corporation the traditional Eyak Indians do not hold any of the leadership positions that control our ancestral recognition. At this time we cannot apply for native language grants, cultural or heritage preservation grants or protect our sacred burial sites from being clearcut or sold.
WHEREAS: The Eyak Indians cultural artifacts and sacred ancestral lands including our religious beliefs which we have preserved for thousands of generations is on the verge of being destroyed completely and irresponsibly. At this rate, there will be nothing to pass on to our children except our Eyak spirit.
THEREFORE: The Eyak Indians ask for mercy and respect from the great tribal nations of Alaska. We do not want to die. We ask for support and recognition before it is truly too late.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Alaska Federation of Natives find heart to recognize the Eyak Indians cry for survival and help to protect this distinct native tribe from being assimilated. Our culture and heritage enriches and contributes to all the native tribes of Alaska.
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT: The loss of the Eyak
Indians culture, heritage and language is a loss not only to the Eyak
people, but to all native tribes of Alaska.
Signed by: THE EYAK TRADITIONAL ELDERS COUNCIL
ON OCTOBER 17, 1992 IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
SIGNATURES:
Chief: Marie Smith Jones
10/17/92
Tribal Member: Faye Dahl
10/17/92
Tribal Spokesman: Glen E. Lankard Jr. (Dune)
10/17/92
Tribal Member: Debra Lankard-Swenson
10/17/92
NOTE: Following pages are documents that back-up Resolution 92-1's content.
SUPPLEMENT
TO THE TESTIMONY
This document was ocr scanned. We have made every
attempt to keep the online document the same as the original,
including the recorder's original misspellings or typos.
