Alaska Native Corporations Vital to U.S. Interests, Experts Say

Cutting funding to these corporations would cripple Alaska's economy and national security, according to a new analysis.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A new opinion piece argues that Alaska Native corporations are critical to the U.S. economy and national security, and that cutting funding to these organizations would be disastrous for Alaska and the country as a whole. The article highlights the corporations' significant economic impact, their role in supporting infrastructure and services in remote communities, and their importance for accessing vital natural resources and maintaining military capabilities in the region.

Why it matters

Alaska Native corporations play an outsized role in Alaska's economy, employing over 15,000 people and generating over $10.5 billion in annual revenue. They also provide essential support for infrastructure, community programs, and national security interests in the state. Weakening or eliminating these corporations could have severe consequences for Alaska's economy and the U.S. government's ability to maintain a presence and access resources in the strategically important Arctic region.

The details

The article argues that Alaska Native corporations are the "backbone" of Alaska's economy, continuously occupying the top 10 spots in the state's corporate rankings. They make significant investments in regional infrastructure, provide programs for shareholders, support nonprofits, and fund scholarships. The author also highlights the corporations' role in extracting critical minerals and resources that are vital for U.S. manufacturing and defense capabilities, such as zinc from the Red Dog Mine and silver from the Greens Creek mine.

  • The article was published on February 23, 2026.

The players

Samuel Wilson

A butcher and meatpacker who served in the Revolutionary War and fed U.S. troops during the War of 1812, giving rise to the term "Uncle Sam".

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Defense Secretary who has called the 8(a) Business Development Program, which benefits Alaska Native corporations, the "oldest diversity, equity and inclusion program".

Kelly Loeffler

The current Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, who acknowledged in a letter last year that Alaska Natives' participation in the 8(a) program is unique.

Jared Whitley

The author of the opinion piece, who has worked in the U.S. Senate, the White House, and the defense industry, and has an MBA from Hult International Business School in Dubai.

Sarah Palin

The former Governor of Alaska, who never actually said she could see Russia from her house, but whose sentiment about Alaska's strategic importance is echoed in the article.

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What’s next

The article suggests that the Biden administration's proposed cuts to the 8(a) Business Development Program, which benefits Alaska Native corporations, could face legal challenges based on past Supreme Court precedent and SBA guidance.

The takeaway

Alaska Native corporations are not just economic engines for the state, but also critical to U.S. national security interests in the strategically important Arctic region. Weakening or eliminating these corporations could have severe consequences for Alaska's economy and the country's ability to maintain a presence and access resources in the North.