BSNC celebrates the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision today to affirm and recognize Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) as Indian Tribes under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDA), and thus eligible for funding under Title V of the CARES Act. ANCs for many years have recognized their unique economic and social missions, through which they provide a myriad of benefits to shareholders and descendants.
“ANCs are not your typical corporation,” said BSNC President & CEO Gail R. Schubert. “We have long recognized our bifurcated mission of working to improve the quality of life of our people through economic development, while protecting our land and preserving our culture and heritage. We have successfully utilized Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, which we qualify for under ISDA, to earn revenues that we then utilize to provide benefits such as elder and regular dividends, scholarships, bereavement assistance, internships and other career development opportunities, protection of our lands, and capacity-building through charitable support of regional nonprofit organizations.”
This ruling also safeguards ANCs’ economic self-determination by protecting our ability to participate in the Native 8(a) Program, which operates in tandem with the U.S. SBA 8(a) Business Development Program. Through its subsidiaries, BSNC is proud to serve government customers and our nation’s military by providing optimal, reliable services to achieve mission success.
Our subsidiaries in the 8(a) program provide support services to numerous customers across the nation and globe. The companies routinely apply innovative and streamlined contracting options for government and commercial organizations. We are pleased that the Supreme Court’s decision will allow us to continue this work.
The amount of funding that BSNC will receive under the CARES Act is not known at this time. What is known is that the CARES Act funding has very specific parameters for expenditure with a focus on relief from or assistance with the impacts of the COVID pandemic.
BSNC extends its deepest thanks to Alaska’s Congressional Delegation, whose brief was written pro-bono by our former General Counsel Christine Williams, the State of Alaska, the Alaska Federation of Natives, the ANCSA Regional Association and ANVCA, for their support of Alaska Native people throughout this litigation. We stand ready to work cooperatively in unity with Indian Country to better serve Indigenous Americans.