By Sentinel Staff
The Alaska House of Representatives passed a resolution Monday creating the first-ever House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs, the House majority coalition said in a news release.
“We’ve never had a committee to deal solely with tribal issues in the Legislature,” House Speaker Bryce Edgmon said in the release.
“This is not just about tribal compacting; it is about basic and critical issues like health, children’s services, law enforcement, economic development, and other needs that can be met at the village level,” said Edgmon (I-Dillingham).
The committee will be chaired by Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky (D-Bethel), who “has been tasked with advancing strategic partnerships between tribes and state government,” the majority announcement said.
“Collaborating with our federally-recognized tribes helps bridge historical and political divisions while elevating opportunities to shape policies and programs that incorporate local and traditional knowledge,” Zulkosky said. “I am eager for the opportunity to chair this historic committee and pursue opportunities to move Alaska forward together.”
House Resolution 5 creating the special committee passed on a 37-1 vote.
“Like all special committees, it has been authorized for the duration of the current legislative session, which ends in January 2021,” the news release said.
