U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier’s statements in the Jan. 6, 2012 article in the San Mateo Daily Journal, “Speier to focus on military spending,” falsely describes Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and their participation in government contracting. Rep. Speier, D-San Mateo, believes ANCs are a problem that she must address.

Rep. Speier claims that ANC contracts allow a bypass of the bid process, and falsely claims that such contracts “violate the law.” It is true subsidiaries of ANCs in the 8(a) program may receive direct award contracts, just like any other 8(a) firm. But, it is patently false to claim that the awarding of sole source contract to any 8(a) firm violates the law. It’s disappointing when misinformation is spread about these efficient, hardworking companies. ANCs employ more than 7,600 hardworking Californians while providing benefits to native shareholders.

It appears Rep. Speier may question our indigenous land claims settlement. In 1971, Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The act extinguished Alaska native land claims in order to facilitate the development of the Alaska pipeline worth trillions of dollars in oil. Alaska natives gave up 88 percent of our traditional lands, and received in return ANCs. ANCs pay state and federal taxes and are responsible for serving their Native shareholders and providing social, cultural and economic benefits to their Native communities in perpetuity. Shares of ANCs cannot be traded or sold, it is a lifetime membership. Only Alaska Native shareholders through the election of an Alaska Native Board have a say in the companies’ businesses, cultural and social endeavors. In 40 years, some ANCs have done well, while others still struggle to find their footing in achieving business success.

ANCs participation in the Small Business Administration 8(a) program is often described by Alaska native leaders as the missing link to ANCSA and is absolutely instrumental to the business development of ANCs. Through the 8(a) program, many ANCs are able to provide eldercare trust funds, dividends, funeral assistance, home heating assistance, scholarships and other benefits for some of the Nation’s poorest most underrepresented people. In these economic times members of Congress should be empowering small and disadvantaged businesses nationwide, like ANCs, to grow and prosper, not stifle their growth and opportunities.

We (I) invite Rep. Speier to visit us in Alaska, to visit our companies, the native people and to see an Alaska native village. We want to tell our story for ourselves so that Rep. Speier can be better informed about ANCs.

Rep. Speier, consider this an open, standing invitation.

Kristina Woolston is an Athabascan Indian Shareholder of Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Paug-Vik Village Corporation and sits on the Board of Directors for the Native American Contractors Association.

“When Alaska Business Monthly recently announced the Top 49 Alaskan-owned business list, it was no surprise to see that eight of the top 10 were Alaska Native corporations.  What some people in our nation may not realize is that ANCs are economic engines that have not only distributed over a billion dollars in shareholder dividends, but provide tens of thousands of jobs worldwide,” Murkowski said.

“The responsibility is great for ANCs,” she continued. “They are not just part of an industry that may come and go, but they bear the heavy responsibility of managing and developing the resources of the Alaska Native people while contributing to the success of present and future generations, village communities and our state and national economies. On December 18th we will not only celebrate the past 40 years of ANCSA, but also the Alaska Native leaders who made this legislation such a success.”

“Over the past 40 years, Alaska has witnessed astonishing economic growth resulting from ANCSA. This has benefited not just Alaska Native peoples – but all Alaskans. This historic piece of legislation allowed for a new group of people – who for centuries were economically disadvantaged – to enter into the business world, and to become economic leaders. Under ANCSA they have contributed to the state and the national economies in unprecedented ways,” Sen. Begich said.

“In Alaska we innovate. We rely on fresh approaches to solve our unique challenges. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is such an example. It was a monumental act of Congress – one my father pushed forward and one I now proudly defend. With our national economy in its current state, we need more of this in America. We need to lift up our people, to build capacity and allow the first peoples of this nation to succeed. When that happens, we all benefit,” Begich said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that ANCSA has been a success for Alaska’s Native people,” said Congressman Young. “Many of the Native corporations have grown to become leaders in industry and are tremendously profitable which in the end benefits all of Alaska’s Native people. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of ANCSA, let us not forget that there is still more work to be done for Alaska’s Native people.”

Watch Sen. Begich and Sen. Murkowski’s remarks online.

The president wants to make it easier for America’s small businesses – which are America’s job creators – to compete, export and grow.

Currently, there are six major departments and agencies that focus primarily on business and trade in the federal government. The six are: U.S. Department of Commerce’s core business and trade functions, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

“This is redundant and inefficient,” Obama said. “Small businesses often face a maze of agencies when looking for even the most basic answers to the most basic questions.”

The president is proposing to consolidate those six departments and agencies into one department with one website, one phone number and one mission – helping American businesses succeed.

Under the move, the Commerce Department as currently constituted would be eliminated. Some of its responsibilities would be shifted to a new department yet to be named, while other functions would be shifted elsewhere.

In the meantime, the president is elevating the Small Business Administration to a Cabinet-level agency – a largely symbolic move that does not require congressional approval.

Fairbanks-born Kristi Williams joined Murkowski’s staff last year to serve as an advisor on issues affecting rural residents and Alaska Natives, including 8(a) contracting preferences for Alaska Native corporations (ANCs). Williams is Gwich’in and Koyukon Athabascan and has a Juris Doctor degree and Indian Law Certificate from the University of New Mexico Law School. She also has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of California Berkeley with minors in public policy and Native American studies. Prior to joining Murkowski’s staff, Williams interned with the legal department at Doyon Ltd., an Alaska Native corporation. Williams said she is proud to work for Murkowski, whom she believes is the greatest champion and ally working for Alaska Native communities.

“The issues surrounding Native policy are important to me because I believe younger Native generations have an obligation to honor the legacy of the Native leaders who paved the way for us, and we need to understand and get involved in the issues in order to contribute positively to the future of our tribes, communities, corporations and economies,” Williams said.

Threats to 8(a) remain on the legislative horizon this year, Williams said.

“Unfortunately, the criticisms of the 8(a) system are not waning. Despite the Alaska congressional delegation’s efforts to educate members of Congress about the merits of the expanded 8(a) business opportunities that apply to Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations and ANCs, there remain a small number of members of Congress who are determined to eliminate these expanded business opportunities,” she said. “There are also a number of members of Congress, many of whom represent communities with a significant Indian presence, who want to see the elimination or a substantial reduction of expanded 8(a) opportunities.”

Alaska’s senior senator is prepared to fight back attacks on 8(a), however.

“Senator Murkowski is a steadfast supporter of the goals of 8(a) policies,” Williams said.

One of the most important things 8(a) supporters can do to help protect the program, Williams said, is to share success stories that demonstrate 8(a)’s positive impacts.

“When it comes to 8(a)s, opponents are trying to make the case that ANC participation in 8(a) programs don’t benefit shareholders,” Williams said. “There are many Alaska Natives statewide who know different.  And shareholders who disagree should make their views known to the Alaska congressional delegation and opponents, for us to spread that message.”

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) also recently appointed a new rural affairs assistant. Andrea Sanders, who joined Begich’s staff in December, is a tribal member of the Native Village of Kwinhagak and a Orutsararmuit Native Council. She grew up in Bethel and Quinhagak, graduated from West Anchorage High School and received a bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown University.

Sanders previously worked as an analyst at First Alaskans Institute’s Alaska Native Policy Center, and she has also been involved with land issues for the Native Village of Kwinhagak and the Bureau of Land Management.

To share your success stories, contact:
Andrea Sanders, legislative assistant to Sen. Mark Begich
Kristi Williams, legislative assistant to Sen. Lisa Murkowski

NANA shareholders Sheila Hill and Lucy Boyd hold their Dartmouth diplomas after completing an intensive weeklong business course at the Ivy League college’s Tuck School of Business.

From Alaska to the Ivy League – that’s been the journey for NANA employees Lucy Boyd and Sheila Hill.

Hill, NANA Oilfield Services Inc. company finance director, and Boyd, NANA Development Corporation’s strategic relationship manager, spent a week last month at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., working with some of the brightest business minds in the country. The intensive course centered on learning how to build and grow a minority-owned business. The NANA shareholders worked with seven instructors and more than 50 other minority business professionals. Topics they covered included developing a high performance strategy, creating an optimal business structure, finance and customer focus.

Dartmouth is one of eight Ivy League schools in the country, and its Tuck School of Business is one of the top business programs in the world. Founded in 1769, Dartmouth was created to educate young Native Americans. Today, Hill, originally from Ambler, Alaska, and Boyd, originally from Buckland, Alaska, are part of the Ivy League family.

“The program was enlightening,” said Boyd. “Most of the participants owned traditional small businesses. However, I found the material applicable and valuable for NANA. No matter what size we are, we have to be focused on what we need to do to change to continue to grow.”

Hill agreed, “What a fantastic opportunity! Not only did we learn things that will help NANA and us, but we were able to develop an excellent new group of friends and mentors.”

Afognak and five other ANCs teamed up to offer leadership training to future Native business leaders.

Afognak Native Corporation teamed with five other Alaska Native corporations (ANCs) involved in 8(a) contracting to train 21 apprentices and interns to become future business leaders.

The participants learned the difference between various corporate organizations, how to give a two-minute “elevator” speech and texting, Internet and workplace etiquette.

“They were inspired by Sarah Lukin’s legislative history of the SBA 8(a) program and Karl McLaughlin’s story of his rise from an intern to a senior vice president in the corporation,” noted Gerad Godfrey, Afognak’s External Relations Manager. Lukin is Afognak’s Vice President of External Affairs and McLaughlin is Senior Vice President of Technology.

And they were surprised when Reggie Joule, legislator in the State of Alaska House of Representatives, stopped by to help them hone their “networking skills.”

The apprentices and interns lunched with a dozen leaders from the sponsoring ANCs to learn what inspired them to move into leadership roles in their corporations.

In addition to Afognak, sponsoring ANCs were Chugach Alaska Corporation; Ahtna, Inc.; Tatitlek Corporation; Ouzinkie Native Corporation;and Cape Fox Corporation.

As noted earlier in this publication, NACA has appointed Sarah Lukin as the interim executive director. Lukin held the job prior to Gray and has extensive experience in the Native 8(a) program and government contracting.  Lukin will maintain her current position as the Sr. Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Afognak Native Corporation/Alutiiq, LLC.

“The work of NACA to the economic self-determination of tribal nations and to the American economy is vitally important,” said Gray. “Government contracting is an important sector, and I will continue to support the rights of Native companies to participate. I appreciate the hard work of NACA staff and members that have made this organization one of most influential Native organizations in Washington.”

“We absolutely support Jim in the important work with Chief Baker at the Cherokee Nation,” said NACA Board Chairman Lance Morgan. “We thank him for his work and advocacy of Native 8(a) firms before and during his time with NACA, and we wish him the best in his new position.”

Gray’s resignation comes just a few weeks after NACA’s annual meeting, which was held Oct. 5 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, Va. Gray welcomed NACA’s new members at the meeting and provided an update of the association’s operational report. Dennis Worden gave a legislative update on current issues affecting the Native 8(a) contracting program. External Affairs Director Jennine Elias provided a membership update on the exponential increase of NACA’s tribal members, as well as an update on public and media relations.

One of the most important items on the agenda was the election of new board members. After candidates made their speeches, the membership selected six board members to serve two-year terms and one to serve one year.

The seven are: Robin Danner, President, Council for Hawaiian Advancement; Janice Hotch, Director, Office of Diversity Solutions, Sealaska Corp.; Dave Kimelberg, CEO, Seneca Holdings, LLC; Helvi Sandvik, President, NANA Development Corp.; Gail Schubert, President and CEO, Bering Straits Native Corp.; Barney Uhart, President, Chugach Alaska Corp.; and Kristina Woolston, Director of Government Relations, Chegena Corp.

NACA represents 52 Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations and Native Hawaiian Organizations from across the United States that participate in the Small Business Administration’s Native 8(a) program. NACA’s member companies employ more than 50,000 people with an annual payroll of nearly $2 billion, with operations in all 50 states, U.S. territories and many foreign countries.

National 8(a) Association President Ron Perry

Funded by the Small Business Jobs Act, which President Obama signed into law last year, the program is designed to help small businesses work together to compete for federal contracts, grow, and ultimately create jobs.

The National 8(a) Association received $500,000, the largest of the 11 awards to date. The association has an established record of success in bringing together diverse small businesses and enhancing their ability to compete in the federal procurement system. Relationship building and education are critical for small businesses that want to succeed in the world of federal contracting, according to association president Ron Perry.

“There are a lot of small businesses that don’t understand how the federal process works,” Perry said. “It’s very different from the commercial world.”

Small businesses must learn how to understand and meet the federal procurement criteria, which can be very specific and vary from agency to agency. With its grant, the National 8(a) Association will hire new staff and hold four annual conferences for businesses that want to land large government contracts.

“We’re hiring folks to actually help with facilitating relationships that lead to large contracts between the small businesses and the federal government,” Perry said. “Our job will be to take qualified small businesses, get them together with other qualified small businesses, and help them succeed in securing large federal contracts.”

Founded in 1997 as the Alaska 8(a) Association, the National 8(a) Association’s mission is to help small businesses – 8(a) certified or not – gain the valuable education, promotion and federal contracting information they need to further advance their level of experience and achieve a higher degree of success. 

TKC Global, a Qivliq company, is managing a worldwide consolidation of electronic communications for the U.S. Air Force, including building new servers at all 418 Air Force bases around the globe.

The migration is the largest project of its type in the world and has drawn kudos from USAF personnel. “You and your team have been incredible, and it has been great working with you,” said one base commander.

TKC Global provides engineering and technical services for a consolidation of electronic communications across all USAF installations worldwide, encompassing more than 800,000 users. The Global team developed the architecture, engineering requirements, project plan and resource guidelines for the migration of USAF users, computers and organizational accounts from multiple source domains into a single USAF identity user database – the world’s largest Active Directory and Exchange migration.

In addition to managing the consolidation, TKC Global is migrating and decommissioning the old, outdated data systems to improve security, reduce costs and complexities and enable new enterprise-wide capabilities for the Air Force Network Operations Commander.

With the project well underway – and on-schedule – TKC Global has already begun to receive enthusiastic, positive feedback from Air Force squadron and base commanders. Comments include:

• Congratulations to the Migration Team – great job by all involved!”
• “You all do a great job, and in difficult circumstances.”
• “Congrats to you and your team for setting the bar up yet another notch. … well done!”

The TKC Global team, now 63 strong and located at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and Langley Air Force Base, Va., has an annual contract budget of approximately $10 million and is working with the Air Force in order to complete the project by 2013.

Sarah Lukin

As the former – and now Interim – Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association (NACA), Lukin has been among the leaders working to educate lawmakers about the importance of 8(a) contracting to Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations and Alaska Native Corporations.

“It doesn’t really matter what we do, we’re always going to be a target,” Lukin told the group. “I would describe this year and previous years as ‘death by a thousand cuts.’ We fight one battle and then we have to immediately take up a new one.”

Lukin provided the group a comprehensive review of the challenges Native 8(a) contracting has faced during the 112th Congress, which began in January 2011. The story is familiar to those who have followed the saga: Spurred by articles in The Washington Post, ProPublica and USA Today and led by Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), members of Congress have mounted a series of legislative attacks designed to limit or eliminate Native corporations’ access to federal contracts. Lukin described the approach many lawmakers seem to have taken as: “We don’t know what’s broken, but doggone it, we’re members of Congress and we’re going to fix it.”

The support of Alaska’s congressional delegation has been crucial to keeping 8(a) intact, Lukin said. They have used their leadership positions to block anti-8(a) legislation, and they have worked to educate their colleagues about the realities and benefits of Native 8(a) contracting. In January, Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Mark Begich (D-AK) held an 8(a) briefing that was attended by more than 100 Senate staffers – an amazing turnout for an issue briefing.

“This was extraordinarily positive,” Lukin said. “If I could identify one single moment when we had a significant impact on the Hill, that was it.”

Moving forward, Lukin advised attendees that November is an important month to watch what happens at the Capitol as the Defense Authorization Act is crafted. Since the bill directly addresses defense spending, Lukin said, it is “always a potential vehicle for reform to Native 8(a).”

She also advised keeping an eye on the work of the “super committee” tasked with reducing the federal deficit and working on outreach to the program’s “champions” in Congress. The work of the Senate Small Business and Homeland Security Committees is critical as well.