One of the benefits of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 was to provide Alaska Native people with the opportunity to fully utilize and protect their traditional lands. Since the inception of Afognak Native Corporation (Afognak), it has sought various ways to protect its lands and provide its Shareholders with access to traditional subsistence resources.
The Shareholder Lease Program began in 1982 to provide Afognak Shareholders with the opportunity to enter into long-term (99 years) land lease agreements with Afognak for 5-acre parcels on Afognak’s land. In 2002, the land lease program was again opened to all Afognak Shareholders.
Shareholder 5-acre lease parcels are concentrated in Afognak Bay, Raspberry Straits, Port Bailey and Kizhuyak Bay areas. Parcel selection has been closed since October 15, 2002, though the existing parcels are transferable among Shareholders. Shareholders now enjoy land use privileges on over 175 5-acre leases and utilize their parcels to continue their subsistence way of life and pursue recreational or economic opportunities.
