43 U.S.C. § 1601 : US Code - Section 1601: Congressional findings and declaration of policy

Search 43 U.S.C. § 1601 : US Code - Section 1601: Congressional findings and declaration of policy

Congress finds and declares that -
(a) there is an immediate need for a fair and just settlement
of all claims by Natives and Native groups of Alaska, based on
aboriginal land claims;
(b) the settlement should be accomplished rapidly, with
certainty, in conformity with the real economic and social needs
of Natives, without litigation, with maximum participation by
Natives in decisions affecting their rights and property, without
establishing any permanent racially defined institutions, rights,
privileges, or obligations, without creating a reservation system
or lengthy wardship or trusteeship, and without adding to the
categories of property and institutions enjoying special tax
privileges or to the legislation establishing special
relationships between the United States Government and the State
of Alaska;
(c) no provision of this chapter shall replace or diminish any
right, privilege, or obligation of Natives as citizens of the
United States or of Alaska, or relieve, replace, or diminish any
obligation of the United States or of the State or Alaska to
protect and promote the rights or welfare of Natives as citizens
of the United States or of Alaska; the Secretary is authorized
and directed, together with other appropriate agencies of the
United States Government, to make a study of all Federal programs
primarily designed to benefit Native people and to report back to
the Congress with his recommendations for the future management
and operation of these programs within three years of December
18, 1971;
(d) no provision of this chapter shall constitute a precedent
for reopening, renegotiating, or legislating upon any past
settlement involving land claims or other matters with any Native
organizations, or any tribe, band, or identifiable group of
American Indians;
(e) no provision of this chapter shall effect a change or
changes in the petroleum reserve policy reflected in sections
7421 through 7438 (!1) of title 10 except as specifically
provided in this chapter;
(f) no provision of this chapter shall be construed to
constitute a jurisdictional act, to confer jurisdiction to sue,
nor to grant implied consent to Natives to sue the United States
or any of its officers with respect to the claims extinguished by
the operation of this chapter; and
(g) no provision of this chapter shall be construed to
terminate or otherwise curtail the activities of the Economic
Development Administration or other Federal agencies conducting
loan or loan and grant programs in Alaska. For this purpose only,
the terms "Indian reservation" and "trust or restricted Indian-
owned land areas" in Public Law 89-136, the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended [42 U.S.C. 3121 et
seq.], shall be interpreted to include lands granted to Natives
under this chapter as long as such lands remain in the ownership
of the Native villages or the Regional Corporations.