Anchorage considers formal relationship with Eklutna village

The Anchorage Assembly is expected to consider an ordinance proposing a formal government relationship between the municipality and the Native Village of Eklutna.

The prospective ordinance follows a 2019 assembly resolution seeking to establish the relationship with Eklutna’s tribal government, Alaska’s News Source reported Monday.

The ordinance was scheduled for a public hearing and vote at the assembly’s meeting on Tuesday.

The ordinance outlines a process for Eklutna to provide input to Anchorage municipal processes. The measure would direct the municipality to develop policies with Eklutna to identify programs and projects affecting the village.

One of the first priorities would be the establishment of regular meetings between the assembly and Eklutna, located 28 miles (45 kilometers) northeast of the city of Anchorage.

Assembly Member Christopher Constant, a sponsor of the ordinance, said the action would set the path to write policies with input from Eklutna residents.

“There are discussions about trainings and implementation of policy across the administration that will be implemented by the mayor and the mayor’s team on the eighth floor,” Constant said.

The 2019 resolution experienced opposition because of Eklutna’s efforts to build a gaming hall on tribal land, but village President Aaron Leggett said those conversations are being conducted with the federal government.

“At that level, it’s government-to-government, between our tribal government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of the Interior,” Leggett said.