of the
Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes
Preamble
We the Traditional Tribal Governments of Asa'carsarniiut, Marshall and the Yupiit of Andreafski , by virtue of our inherent sovereign authority are fostering the unification of the Kuigpagmiut Peoples (Here-in-after referred to as Kuigpagmiut). We unite together having common bonds of residence, culture, heritage, historical political association, and common interests to strengthen our autonomous Traditional Tribal Governments and to work together for the common good of the Kuigpagmiut. We hereby enter this Inter-Tribal Treaty Agreement to promote healing from the political fragmentation of our communities which was imposed by Federal and State legislation and from the conflicting cultural assimilation experiences brought forth by western civilization, including education and religious systems. It is our desire to work in unison to effectively perpetuate our Yup'ik culture and tribal identity; to promote the development of our tribal resources; to nurture community peace-keeping; and to protect the individual and collective rights and benefits of our Tribes. We affirm that our traditional cultural heritage and inherent sovereignty are the essence of community. The continuance of and the evolutionary character of our culture is dependent upon our willingness to experience community healing processes and our ability to embody appropriate cultural rejuvenation without outside interference. And we further affirm that under the guidance of our Elders, Tribal leadership shall continue to effectively advocate for and perpetuate our customary rights and privileges for the protection of our lands, waters, and natural resources upon which we are dependent.
Kuigpagmiut Tribal Council
Action Items For Consideration
1. Review and discuss the group memory from the Treaty Development Work Session.
2. Consider a Tribal Council Resolution to communicate the will of Leadership to participate in the ratification of an Inter-Tribal Treaty.
3. Through Tribal Council Resolution confirm the appointment of three representatives to each of the Kuigpagmiut Tribal Development focus areas:
Cultural Development (1) Council Member:
(1) Elder Representative:
(1) Pro-active Community Member:
Tribal
Justice Development (1) Council Member:
(1) Elder Representative:
(1) Pro-active Community Member:
Natural Resource Development (1) Council Member:
(1) Elder Representative:
(1) Pro-active Community Member:
Economic Development (1) Council Member:
(1) Elder Representative:
(1) Pro-active Community Member:
Deadline for Tribal Council Resolutions and Standing Committee Nominations: 3/15/96
Draft Treaty Document will be faxed to all Tribal Council Offices by: 3/18/96.
Deadline for Tribal Council revisions of Treaty Draft: 3/20/96
Date of Signing of Inter-Tribal Treaty and Celebration: 3/23/96
Any questions please call Darlene Wright, Kuigpagmiut Tribal Operations
1-800-453-2782 or Fax: 907-438-2883.
Our efforts to perpetuate and communicate our Yup'ik reality shall be guided by the following Kuigpagmiut Principles:
It is the responsibility of all Kuigpagmiul to:
Nurture cultural pride within self and to uphold the "spirit of unity" within family, extended family and community networks.
Facilitate a continued common understanding of Yup'ik cultural and moral values, beliefs, practices and traditional history reflecting our Yupik reality; and
Promote Inter-tribal unity in order to ensure continued access to and the responsible management of all natural resources, traditionally used lands and waters on which the Kuigpagmiut are collectively dependent upon for our livelihood.
Through our sincere desire to learn, share openly, grow and build a strong Inter-Tribal working relationship, the Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes will facilitate within our communities a lifestyle which promotes mutual respect and strengthens our people and our culture. As community leaders, we will reflect through our actions the "Yup'ik spirit of survival and adaptation" to environmental and situational influences without sacrificing our traditional rights, cultural identity, customary practices and privileges as sovereign Tribes of Alaska.
Article I
Organizational Name
Section 1. Organizational Name. The name of the Tribal entity created under this Inter-tribal Treaty agreement shall be the Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes
Article II
Historical, Cultural, and Socio-Economic Relationship Between Tribes
Section 1. Historical Relationship. The historical and traditional relationship between the Kuigpagmiut as nurtured by our Ancestors are commonly recognized by our Tribal Councils as the root of our existence as culturally distinct Indigenous peoples. Kuigpagmiut Inter-Tribal Development Strategies shall facilitate the re-affirmation of Yup'ik culture, values, practices, and social laws which have historically governed our traditional community relationships. It is the recognized responsibility of tribal leadership to ensure the promotion of a regional historical documentation initiative to encourage the full utilization of our cultural ways. The resulting traditional knowledge base shall provide many vital sociological, political and economic development linkages to support our Inter-tribal development efforts and our continued evolution as a unified Kuigpagmiut.
Section 2. Tribal Membership. Any Alaska Native Tribe, organized traditionally or under the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA), having a historical linkage to the Kuigpagmiut by virtue of cultural heritage, kinship, socioeconomic, or political practice are eligible to enter this treaty agreement or an amendment thereof. A tribal resolution and official signatory by all respective Tribal Council Members shall formally bond the Inter-Tribal relationship.
Section 3. Village and Regional Tribal Unity. Membership shall be formally acknowledged through signatory on the official treaty document provided that the groups are not a mere splinter group or faction of any traditional or re-organized tribe otherwise eligible for membership
Section 4. Constitution & By Law Option. As the working partnership between the member tribes matures, this section of the treaty is reserved for the development of an Inter-Tribal Constitution and By Laws in order to facilitate the management and operations of the Kuigpagmiut Tribal Consortium.
Article III
Kuigpagmiut Inter-Tribal Standing Committees
Section 1. Four Kuigpagmiut Inter-Tribal Standing Committees. Four Kuigpagmiut Inter-Tribal Standing Committees will be responsible for defining and documenting tribal development strategies, historical practices, and cultural ways. This comprehensive data collection process will spearhead the development of a regional archives and information data base which will be organized and managed by the Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes.
Section 2. Kuigpagmiut Standing Committee Representatian. The
Kuigpagmiut Inter-Tribal Standing Committees will be composed of (1) Elder Representative; (1) Tribal Council Member; and (1) Proactive Tribal Member from each Treaty Tribe. These committees will be acknowledged as the Kuigpagmiut Inter-tribal Committee on Cultural Development, Tribal Justice Development, Natural Resources Development and Economic Development.
Section 3. Kuigpagmiut Standing Committee Responsibilities. These committees will outline issues, concerns and recommendations for development of tribal policy and/or related strategies for consideration by the Board of Directors of Kuigpagmiut, Inc., and Kuigpagmiut Community Development Corporation as well as the Traditional Councils of Kuigpagmiut Treaty Tribes. Kuigpagmiut Standing Committees shall have at least one joint planning and development work session annually. Individual Standing Committees shall meet on a regular and/or as-needed basis to facilitate the planning, design, and evaluation of Inter-tribal Development programs, regional and community activities. Respective Tribal Standing Committee Members will actively participate in, support, and facilitate tribal development activities in their home communities in order to ensure "grassroots involvement" and the authenticity of all cultural documentation processes.
Article IV
Cultural Development
Section 1. Cultural Development Tribal Infrastructure. The Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes is committed to enhancing self-governance through the strengthening of our Tribes by fostering pride and unity among our people through the guidance of our Elders.
Section 2. Tribal Recognition of Expressed Tribal Values, Mores, and Practices. The extensive cultural documentation process being facilitated by the Kuigpagmiut Inter-Tribal Standing Committees will help create a conscious awareness of the traditional values and mores; cultural practices and beliefs; and the leadership philosophies which guided community peacekeeping; the care taking of traditional natural resources; and the respective use/occupancy of traditional lands and waters. The tribal development activities of Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes will be driven by the traditional values and cultural priorities formally outlined by the Kuigpagmiut Standing Committees and ratified by the Tribal Membership of each Tribe.
Section 3. Tribal Policy Development. Cultural development policy and procedures will be developed to support community development, cultural education and tribal citizenship development The unique cultural character of each respective Tribe will be nurtured and respected. Individual treaty tribes will work together to revitalize the cultures of the Kuigpagmiut people and to strengthen the cultural fabric of our tribal community.
Section 4. Inter.related Tribal Development Strategies. We affirm that our traditional cultural heritage and inherent sovereignty are the basis of our well-being and continuance as Kuigpagmiut. The tribal development strategies of the Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes must be guided by the values and working philosophy expressed within our traditional practices and beliefs in order to sustain our natural resources and protect our traditionally used lands and waters. Therefore, all the tribal development components (Tribal Justice, Natural Resources and Economic) shall be guided with full consideration of the common threads of cultural values and mores, beliefs and practices.
Article V
Tribal Justice Development
Section 1. Tribal Justice Development Infrastructure. Since time immemorial the Tribal-Nations of the Kuigpagmiut region have nurtured and maintained community peace and harmony, public safety and social balance. Our ancestors practiced conflict resolution, mediation and made inter-tribal agreements regarding the use of natural resources and traditional lands. The Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes shall facilitate the development of the regional tribal infrastructure to support a modern-day tribal justice. System, recognizing that the concept of law and justice is particular to each tribe, their respective traditional government and culture. We are declaring that it is our full intent to incorporate each people’s notion of justice into a regionally based justice system.
Article VI
Natural Resource Development
Section 1. Natural Resource Development Tribal Infrastructure. The Kuigpagmiut have historically protected and utilized our lands, waters, and natural resources to perpetuate and sustain our cultural heritage and lifestyles. We shall continue to practice our responsibility by virtue of our sovereign powers as Kuigpagmiut Tribes.
Article VII
Economic Development
Section 1. Economic Development Tribal Infrastructure. The Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes are actively researching alternative options for incorporating a tribal economic development entity which would reflect the socioeconomic values and priorities of member tribes. The resulting regional and village infrastructure will be driven by the collective economic goals of member tribes through the establishment of a Comprehensive Inter-Tribal Development Plan.
Section 2. Economic Development Values. The sustainable economic development activities of Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes will be driven by the traditional values and cultural priorities formally outlined by the Kuigpagmiut Standing Committees and ratified by the Tribal Membership of each Tribe.
Section 3. Tribal Policy Development. Tribal development policies shall be outlined by the Kuigpagmiut Inter-Tribal Standing Committee on Economic Development for consideration and approval by the Tribal Councils. Tribal Consortium leadership shall adopt respective policies to support the constitution and by laws of the tribal economic development entity.
Article VIII
Federal and Tribal Government to Government Relationship
The Kuigpagmiut Treaty Tribes, as federally recognized "organized tribal governments" are "domestic dependent nations" who are collaboratively building the Inter-Tribal infrastructure to support, uphold, and retain all sovereign powers which will ensure our unique, cultural existence as Kuigpagmiut. It is our common understanding that it is the "trust responsibility" of the United States to consult with individual tribes prior to rendering decisions that relate to or affect the sovereign status; customary rights, privileges and practices; and the traditionally utilized lands, waters, and natural resources upon which the Kuigpagmiut are historically dependent upon for socioeconomic survival.
Article IX
Inter-Tribal, Federal and State Relations
Section 1. Development of a Responsive, Pro-active Network. Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes recognizes that effective advocacy for tribal rights, responsible management, and protection of natural resources and the environment and the promotion of sustainable economic development will require an ever-expanding network of professional and political relationships. Kuipagmiut leadership pledges to network with and actively support other American Indian Tribes with common interests and concerns.
Section 2. Alternative Working Agreements. We will seriously consider alternative cooperative agreements federal/state agencies who acknowledge and respect the socio-political priorities of our Inter-Tribal organization and our commitment to uphold the cultural priorities of our tribal membership. These working relationships will provide a framework for diverse groups to work together to attain common goals. Examples may include but are not limited to treaties, cooperative agreements. co-management agreements, contracts, resolutions, or letters of support.
Section 3. Treaties. Treaties are the universal language of co-existence between the sovereign governments or peoples who are culturally diverse and hold common or conflicting interests within specific socioeconomic development areas.
Section 4. Partnerships. Partnerships provide a framework for groups to work together to attain a common socioeconomic development goal(s). Effective partnerships are mutually designed, implemented, and evaluated for responsiveness to a specific intent. All participating partners have a responsibility to contribute to the overall success of a given effort which includes human or financial resources or other means of active support.
Section 5. Limitations. Nothing in this Inter-Tribal Treaty Agreement or in other related working agreements, contracts, compact, or co-management agreements shall be construed in any way to diminish the "government to government" relationship of each member tribe to the United States, nor replace, reduce, or compromise the responsibility of the federal government to consult with each Alaska Tribe on issues that affect them or diminish services or benefits mandated by federal law.
Article X
Treaty Amendments
Section 1. Amendment Process. Kuigpagmiut recognizes that from time to time it may be necessary to amend this treaty. The process to make amendments shall be:
Any Kuigpagmiut Tribal Member can make suggestions for amendments at any time.
The suggested amendment(s) will be in writing to their respective Tribal Councils.
The Tribal Council shall bring these amendment(s), through their representative, to the Full Kuigpagmiut Council.
(D) The Full Kuigpagmiut Council shall discuss, make amendment(s), if necessary, and vote on the suggested amendment(s) at their Annual Tribal Membership Gathering.
The leadership of the Kuigpagmiut Treaty Tribes are committed in perpetuity to the perimeters of this treaty agreement which formally honors and recognizes our historical and cultural bonds as the Kuigpagmiut, the People of the Big River. Signed this 23rd Day of March 1996 by the Kuigpagmiut Consortium of Tribes:
Officially signed by the Kuigpagmiut Elders
[51 signatures follow]
Asa’carsarmiut Traditional Council:
James Landlord, First Chief
William Beans, Second Chief
Stanislaus Sheppard, Council
Dimitri George, Council Person
Nicholas Long, Council Person
Joseph Beans, Council Person
Simon Harpak, Sr., Elder Member
Marshall Tribal Council:
William Andres, President, Chairperson
Alvin Owletuck, Sr., Vice President
Aloysius Coffee, Secretary/Treasurer
Yupiit of Andreafski:
George T. Beans, President
John Elia, Jr., Vice President
Carol A. Alstrom, Secretary/Treasurer
Gail Alstrom, Council Person
Virginia Sipary, Council Person
Signatures follow for the following:
Kuigpagmiut Standing Committee for Cultural Development
Kuigpagmiut Standing Committee for Tribal Justice Development
Kuigpagmiut Standing Committee for Natural Resources
Kuigpagmiut Standing Committee for Economic Development
KUIGPAGMIUT INTER-TRIBAL STANDING COMMIITEES
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
George Beans,.Sr.
Tribal Council Representative
Irene Beans/Angela Kozevnikoff
Elder Representative
Ruth Ann Elia
Pro-Active Community Member
TRIBAL JUSTICE DEVELOPMENT
Carol Alstrom
Tribal Council Representative
Patrick Beans, Sr.
Elder Representative
Sam white
Pro-Active Community Member
NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
John Elia, Jr.
Tribal Council Representative
Teresa Stevens
Elder Representative
Francis Beans
Pro-Active Community Member
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Gail Alstrom
Tribal Council Representative
Daniel Stevens, Sr.
Elder Representative
Marilyn Sipary
Pro-Active Community Member
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is effective immediately and shall continue in effect in perpetuity for this action is to formally affirm the historical inter-tribal relationship of the Kuigpagmiut Peoples and is not dependent on federal funding for programs or services.