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Shaan-Seet History |
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Phone: 907-826-3251 Fax: 907-826-3980 Email: ssinc@aptalaska.net
PO Box 690 Craig, AK 99921
Website created and maintained by Cleary Computer Services, Klawock, Alaska 907-755-2963 |
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Shaan-Seet, Incorporated History
Shaan-Seet, Inc. was established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 as one of the original 12 Southeastern Alaskan Native Village Corporations. ANSCA granted substantial land/surface rights to the village corporations within their geographical boundaries. Shaan-Seet, Inc. (SSI) is located in Craig, Alaska, within the territory of Sealaska Corporation, which owns the subsurface rights to SSI lands. Formally incorporated in 1973, SSI received the land/surface rights to 23,040 acres of land and a cash infusion of approximately $1 million.
Pursuant to Section 12 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, SSI selected certain lands within the vicinity of the city limits of the City of Craig. In 1979, SSI began the lengthy process of 14(c)3 with the City of Craig. ANCSA authorized certain lands, which have been conveyed to SSI to be reconveyed by SSI to the City. In 1992, SSI conveyed 620 acres of land to the City of Craig, leaving 22,420 acres under ownership and management.
In 1980, Congress enacted the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) as an amendment to ANCSA. One section of ANILCA authorized village corporations to distribute lands to their shareholders pursuant to a program to provide home sites. The first village corporation to attempt the Home site Lottery, SSI was successful in distributing 317 lots to the original Shaan-Seet shareholders in 1984.
The Margaret Hamilton Demmert Scholarship Fund was established in 1984 to assist shareholders financially in their educational endeavors. The MHD Scholarship Program funded many shareholders in areas of vocational and college-accredited courses.
In 1996, the shareholders were asked to vote for the establishment of the Master Artist and Apprenticeship Program. The purpose of this program is to support and encourage the maintenance and development of the traditional arts of Northwest Native Peoples. Apprenticeship grants are for serious study with a recognized Master Artist in a traditional Native art form.
Also in 1996, the Shareholder Settlement Trust was established. The purpose of the Trust is to first, promote the long-term economic stability of SSI’s shareholders; second, to save taxes on the earnings to be distributed to the shareholders; and third, to limit the ability of creditors from reaching the Trusts assets. The assets of the Trust cannot be returned to SSI, however, the Trust can be reviewed every ten years.
Shaan-Seet, Inc. has a nine-member Board of Directors, elected by the shareholders to three-year, overlapping terms. The Directors must be Alaska Native shareholders. The Directors elect a Chairperson and President annually. There are currently 544 shareholders of Shaan-Seet, Inc.
The primary business operations of Shaan-Seet, Inc. are currently found in:
1 Timber and timber related operations including contract logging 2 Heavy equipment operations, leasing and heavy construction 3 Lodging and charter fishing operations 4 Commercial and residential property management
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