The Craig Tribal Association is the first tribe in Alaska to apply to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to put land into trust for a reservation. The parcel is small: a little more than one acre in downtown Craig, a town of about 1,200. The building on that parcel includes the tribal offices.
The building also includes a hall that the tribe of 450 members rents out for occasions such as weddings and dinners.
Tribal President Clinton Cook Sr. told APRN Alaska News, “The goal for all tribes is to be able to be self-determined, away from the state and municipality telling you what you can do with you land.”
Cook said the tribe might consider a casino. “There’s really no gaming in Craig, because … you have to file through the state and city, and get a gaming license and you’re subject to a lot of taxes,” he said. “Land-into-trust will eliminate a lot of tax burden on a casino or a gaming operation.” The tribe has also considered growing marijuana for profit.
For years no Alaska tribes applied to put land into trust, due to opposition by the state government. But that opposition was dropped recently.
The BIA has asked for comments on the proposal until the first week in November.
