ANCSA Closing Ceremony Photo Archives

When village and regional corporations reach full entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the BLM and the corporations often gather for a "closing ceremony" to sign patent documents and celebrate this milestone.

During this ceremony, the BLM typically presents the final patent for the lands (surface estate) to the village corporation and the patent for subsurface estate to the regional corporation.

Below are photos of closing ceremonies from recent years.

Ekwok

Ekwok Limited receives final land patent  Bristol Bay Native Corp receives subsurface patent

LEFT:  Ekwok Ltd. President Luki Akelkok, Sr., received final patent for Ekwok on July 27, 2010.  RIGHT:  Bristol Bay Native Corporation Chair Joseph Chythlook accepted the subsurface patent.  The documents were presented by BLM Anchorage District Manager Gary Reimer.

Buckland and Deering

Buckland closing ceremony  Deering closing ceremony

LEFT:  Donald Sheldon, Chair of NANA Regional Corporation, accepts final patent for Buckland.  RIGHT:  Marie Greene, President and CEO of NANA Regional Corporation, accepts final patent for Deering.  The patents were presented by BLM Lands Director Ramona Chinn on April 22, 2010.

Elim

Elim Native Corp closing ceremony

 Robert Keith, President of Elim Native Corporation, accepted final patent for Elim on March 4, 2010.