At the top of each of our native/tribal values is "Respect." Our governor no sooner stepped off the Alaska Federation of Natives stage following his address to the AFN than our AFN president started criticizing him for not working with the Native community.
Because of Gov. Parnell's leadership there is now a Cooperative Agreement with the Tlingit and Haida Central Council, Microsoft and the state, a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs intended to help with outstanding Native allotment conveyances, 314 rural residents sitting on boards and commissions, a draft tribal courts agreement, an IV-E agreement with the Tanana Chiefs Conference, and twice the number of VPSOs across the state.
In addition, and since Parnell has been in office, hundreds of millions of dollars have gone into rural Alaska for new clinics, elder care facilities, tribal halls, ports, senior centers, primary care centers, weatherization and other energy projects. And the list goes on and on.
After decades of litigation and numerous governors, Parnell settled the Kasayulie case -- paving the way for $146 million in new rural school construction. Does this sound like Parnell is not working with the Native community?
While our AFN president is quick to criticize our governor, a statewide elected official, it appears our junior Sen. Mark Begich gets a free pass.
The AFN has passed resolutions over the years urging the federal government to respect King Cove residents with their need for a lifesaving road. Remember, King Cove Corporation and the state of Alaska offered up 56,000 acres for 200 acres of federal land so King Cove could finish its road. Yet, Sen. Begich, who is friendly to President Obama and his policies, did not deliver. If the AFN is in the criticizing game, let's make it across the board, shall we?
John Moller is Gov. Sean Parnell's senior rural affairs advisor, a member of the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, a shareholder of the Aleut and Ounalashka Corp and a member of Alaska Native Brotherhood camp 76.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.