by Ulric Aloysius
The Regional Tribal Government (RTG) is desperately needed after decades of fractionalized power and division in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta. It is obvious tribal members are frustrated with their tribal council’s red tape limitations or the inability of non-profits and Alaska Native corporations to fill the gaps. I view the primary function of the RTG to alleviate those gaps.
Over the years I note stringent opposition by Native leaders over the question of the overbearing influence Donlin Gold would have on this governing body. Others feel they are comfortable with how things stand, and change is but a rubber stamp. Many are for a unified Yupik tribal council since it may meet public safety standards so desperately needed. However, I ponder this body facing a much broader, structural issue; one that would prioritize the larger villages and population centers with the small villages of our region left with little influence to prioritize their member’s needs. I denote this a minority rights issue.
The RTG functions in the most basic form of democracy, direct elections. This, at the village and town level, is fantastic to hold administrators and council members accountable to them. I recall a colleague visiting a tribal administrator for help, and was accommodated for that very day. Familial bonds and lifelong friendships in small villages are important and consequently adjusted to fit the needs of the tribal members. Direct elections are great in this instance.
However, direct elections when expanded to 30,000 members spread across 60,000 square miles, simple access to tribal administration and council members is bound to disappear. In proportion to village needs, the needs of the broader Y-K Delta would take precedence. The vast size of each RTG councilmember’s constituency bears the concerns and opinions of hundreds if not thousands of tribal members. In comparison to my previous example, one would find it difficult to visit a RTG councilmember for help that day. It may be months or years before the matter is addressed.
The direct elections model in the RTG does not consider village tribal council’s needs either. It, in effect, bypasses the village councils’ voice and direct input via the tribes’ support for the RTG. In other words, the rush to unify a desperate Y-K Delta has created yet another force that, I argue, will further fractionalize, and divide the increasing gaps in sovereignty among our people.
The position of townships and village councils should be considered in the governance of the RTG. After all, village councils know their members on a personal level. Their members have direct access to them to console and express opinions. Village councils hold events to bring the community closer together, where only more discourse over current events is discussed. This force is beyond what a body of eleven directly elected leaders over 30,000 constituents can provide. It is far too large and constituents far too broad.
There is a moderate alternative to how things stand, and a solution to the current structure of the RTG. I mentioned the influence of Donlin Gold previously, being a considerable concern by many. Simply, the influence of external interests, no matter the company or goal, easily penetrates the scope of the RTG due to its direct election schema. Eleven RTG councilmembers representing 30,000 direct constituents, may easily be swayed by external lobbyists. The solution? A separate body in the structure of the RTG consisted of delegates elected by the tribal councils.
The directly elected RTG councilmembers can constitute the broader goals of the people, while a separate body constitutes ideals and interests of the tribes, who also represent the small, localized communities. This solution reduces the disproportionate influence of external lobbyists, adjusts for direct input for the tribes, and makes way for protection of minority rights.
Ulric Aloysius is a resident of Aniak, Alaska.
