In 1971, Congress enacted the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. This Act required that Native American groups in Alaska form corporations to receive property and money to settle their claims to the land and resources of the state. The Act represents an unprecedented experiment in Native American law. Because the Act required that Alaska Natives organize corporations, it has been the subject of great debate among Native Americans, scholars, and politicians. This Article explores the benefits and harms of the Settlement Act and provides substantive suggestions if the Act is ever amended or if similar legislation is ever proposed
