ANCSA Regional Association

08/08/2026

Today, ANCSA Regional Association President Nicole Borromeo had the opportunity to discuss the benefits of the 8(a) Business Development program with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, including its role as a job creator in Alaska and across the country and as an important tool protecting our national security.

Thank you, Speaker Johnson, for traveling to Alaska to hear directly about the issues facing our state.

07/30/2026

We're excited to welcome two outstanding leaders to the ANCSA Regional Association’s Executive Committee!

Please join us in congratulating Skoey Vergen, President and CEO of Aleut, and Jason Metrokin, President and CEO of Bristol Bay Native Corporation, on their respective appointments as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer.

Skoey and Jason bring exceptional leadership, deep experience, and a strong commitment to advancing Alaska Native corporate priorities. Their perspectives and expertise will help guide 's work as we continue advocating for the interests of the regional and the shareholders and communities they serve.

Congratulations, Skoey and Jason!

07/24/2026

When Congress made Alaska Native corporations eligible for the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Program, it did so to help fulfill the promises of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act: to support the economic and social well-being of Alaska Natives.

For nearly 40 years, the 8(a) Program has helped create jobs, invest in communities, and improve the economic conditions across Alaska.

Yesterday, ANCSA Regional Association President Nicole Borromeo joined fellow Native leaders in Washington, DC to discuss challenges facing the program and share solutions.

was proud to have a seat at the table and appreciates the White House and the Treasury Department for convening this important conversation.

07/08/2026

Mark your calendars for CIRI's Summer Craft Bazaar

See details below:

06/30/2026

Sitnasauk invited us back share our knowledge of ANCSA.

We’re ready. 💪

Shareholders and Descendants,
You are invited to join us for an ANCSA 101 webinar session on July 22, 2026, from 1 PM – 2:30 PM. Take a deeper look at the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), how it came to fruition, how it looks today, and how it affects Corporations, Shareholders and Descendants.

Join us as we welcome ANCSA Regional Association (ARA) President Nicole Borromeo for a presentation and an opportunity to ask questions.
This spring, ARA provided fantastic introductory trainings on ANCSA, Alaska Native corporations, and the constellation of Alaska Native entities serving our communities to our attendees at the Katiluta Cultural Festival and to students at Nome-Beltz. After an overwhelming number of requests to offer an online session, we hope Shareholders and Descendants across Alaska and the U.S. are able to join us in what we hope becomes an annual session.
If you are interested in attending, please register for the webinar by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/s1d1NZGES5yddEnLiocbxw #/registration

Feel free to submit questions ahead of time to potentially be answered during the webinar by emailing [email protected]
If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (907) 929-7000.
Quyana!

06/16/2026

🗣️ Alaska is speaking with one voice.

The Alaska State Legislature unanimously passed bipartisan House Joint Resolution 44, sending a clear message to Washington: Alaska Native Corporations must continue to participate in the U.S. Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. 🇺🇸

ANCs are proven partners to the federal government—strengthening national security, delivering elite technical capabilities, and supporting some of our nation's most critical missions. 💼🛡️

In a new op-ed for Federal News Network, Alaska House Representative Maxine Dibert and Senator Cathy Giessel explain why weakening ANC participation in the 8(a) program would not only harm Alaska but also undermine the federal government's ability to achieve its mission objectives.

📖 Read the full op-ed: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2026/06/alaska-speaks-with-one-voice-about-the-8a-program/

Alaska Rep. Maxine Dibert and Alaska Sen. Cathy Giessel explain why weakening the 8(a) program is not just bad for Alaska, but for the entire country.

06/15/2026

While in Washington, D.C. last week, President Nicole Borromeo was honored to join the Interior-Treasury roundtable, Building Generational Wealth: Financial Literacy and Trump Accounts in Tribal Communities.

As one of the four tribal representatives invited to participate, Nicole helped ensure Alaska Native perspectives were part of this important national conversation on financial literacy, economic opportunity, and building generational wealth for tribal communities.✨

The roundtable focused on the historic opportunities Trump Accounts may create for Native youth and the importance of education and outreach to help families maximize these benefits. 📈👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Roundtable participants included –
•• Brandon Beach, Treasurer, Treasury Department
•• Billy Kirkland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Interior Department
•• Luke Pettit, Undersecretary of Domestic Finance, Treasury Department
•• Philip Tirino, Deputy Associate Director, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
•• Garrett Renville, Chairman Coalition of Large Tribes
•• Louis Martin, Councilmember, Morongo Band of Mission Indians
•• Pete Upton, Executive Director, Community Development Financial Institutions

ARA extends its appreciation to the Director of the Office of Tribal and Native American Affairs at Treasury, Fatima Abbas, for convening this important dialog. 🤝

06/10/2026

✨ About last night… 👣🩵

ARA’s 3rd Annual Walking in Mukluks was a tremendous success!

The evening was filled with connection, conversation, and celebration.

🇺🇸 was honored to welcome Alaska’s Congressional Delegation, who shared recent successes for Alaska and important wins for the 8(a) community. Their presence and support made the evening even more meaningful.

🎶 A huge thank you to Witty Youngman for providing beautiful music that set the perfect tone for the event.

And let’s talk about the salmon lox from Alaska Sausage & Seafood that was such a hit, it practically swam right out the door! 🐟✨

👏🏼 Most importantly, Gunalchéesh, Quyana, Chin’an to everyone who attended this event. Your participation helps strengthen connections and opportunities for Alaska Native businesses and communities.

Until next year, keep walking forward together. ❤️

06/09/2026

🏛️ A busy week in Washington, D.C. for

The ANCSA Regional Association is proud to be hosting a series of events that highlight the impact of Alaska Native corporations, the importance of ANCSA, and the role our communities play in America's future.

📚 ANCSA 101 training with the Administration for Children and Families.

💰 ARA President Nicole Borromeo was able to attend the Education Freedom Tax Credit Roundtable at the Department of Treasury.

🎶 Walking in Mukluks featuring Alaska Native artist Witty Youngman.

⚡ Policy Forum & Moderated Discussion focused on energy development, economic opportunity, and the importance of the SBA 8(a) Program.

We're looking forward to connecting with policymakers, partners, and leaders throughout the week as we share the Alaska Native story and advocate for policies that strengthen our communities.

🦅🌎✨

06/05/2026

👏 ARA President Nicole Borromeo is setting the record straight on the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program in a new op-ed for Washington Technology.

Key points from Nicole’s piece include:

· 8(a) cuts federal procurement timelines by up to 85%

· In 2022, generated $13.5 billion in total revenue and employed over 15,000 people in Alaska

· Since their inception in 1971, ANCs awarded have awarded over $173.9 million in scholarships to Alaska Native students

For Nicole, this concept isn’t abstract; her own education was funded in part by ANC scholarships. It’s time for policymakers to follow the evidence, not political rhetoric, when determining the future of the 8(a) program.

📖 Read Nicole’s full piece for Washington Technology:

From faster procurement cycles to 15,000 jobs in Alaska, the facts about this program are being ignored in Washington, writes Nicole Borromeo, president of the ANCSA Regional Association.