Orutsararmiut Native Council

Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) is the largest tribe in the Bethel, Alaska region. It is a federally recognized tribe and a governing body for the community of Bethel, Alaska.

History

The Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) is the largest tribe in the Bethel, Alaska region.[1] It is a federally recognized tribe and a governing body for the community of Bethel, Alaska.[2] Zach Brink served as the ONC executive director from 2011 to 2015.[3] In 2016, Gene Peltola Sr. was the ONC executive director.[4] Peter Evon also served as an ONC executive director before serving in as the Kenaitze Indian Tribe executive director of tribal administration.[5]

In the fall of 2018, the ONC received a two-year grant from the Administration for Community Living to help reduce the harm and maltreatment of Yup'ik elders.[6]

In 2021, the executive director was Mark Springer.[7] Springer was fired in late 2021.[8] On June 28, 2021, the ONC appealed the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's about the Donlin Gold mine's water quality certificate.[7] According to a summer 2021 poll of 300 ONC tribal members, 76% opposed the Donlin Gold mine project, while only 10.5% supported it.[9] The mineral rights for the mine are owned by the Calista Corporation, a Alaska Native corporation the represents many Alaska Native groups including the ONC.[10]

In 2021, the ONC received US$17,000,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[11] Some of the funds were used to provide US$1,500 payments to eligible tribal members.[11]

Former executive director Zach Brink resumed the role from August 2, 2021 until late March 2022 when he resigned citing health reasons.[3][8] In July 2022, Brian Henry became the ONC executive director.[1] In 2022, Walter Jim was serving as the tribal chairman.[3] In July 2022, the ONC endorsed tribal member Mary Peltola's campaign for the 2022 Alaska's at-large congressional district special election.[12]

References
  1. McCarthy, Will (2022-07-15). "ONC has a new executive director. Here's his vision for the future". KYUK. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  2. "About ONC". Orutsararmiut Native Council. 2015-10-27. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  3. MacArthur, Anna Rose (2022-04-20). "ONC is looking for a new executive director". KYUK. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  4. Demer, Lisa (May 11, 2016). "Longtime head of Yukon-Kuskokwim tribal group resigns". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  5. Poux, Sabine (2022-06-11). "New head of tribal administration for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe". KDLL Public Radio for the Central Kenai Peninsula. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  6. Phelan, Amanda (2020). Advances in Elder Abuse Research: Practice, Legislation and Policy. Springer Nature. p. 62. ISBN 978-3-030-25093-5.
  7. Ebertz, Olivia (2021-07-01). "Orutsararmiut Native Council to challenge Donlin Mine water quality certificate in court". KAKM. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  8. Kim, Greg (2021-08-09). "ONC Rehires Former Executive Director To Lead Organization". KYUK. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  9. "Tribal Citizens voice strong opposition to Donlin Gold in recent Orutsararmiut Native Council Survey". The Delta Discovery. 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  10. Lee, Joseph (2022-07-20). "A Native Corporation wants to mine gold on the Kuskokwim River. Alaska Natives say no". Grist. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  11. Kim, Greg (2021-08-13). "ONC Receives $17 Million In ARPA Funding; Providing $1,500 Checks To Tribal Members". KYUK. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  12. MacArthur, Anna Rose (2022-07-19). "ONC and The Organized Village of Kwethluk have endorsed Mary Peltola for US House". KYUK. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
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