Koniag commits $50,000 for COVID-19 needs

Koniag has pledged a $50,000 commitment for COVID-19 needs on Kodiak Island, with a particular focus on food security.

The announcement Tuesday, April 21, came in the wake of regional meetings with tribes, village Alaska Native corporations and non-profits in the Kodiak region.

Earlier this spring, Koniag sent care packages to elders and school-age youth.

Koniag is facilitating regular regional COVID-19 response meetings with tribal and community leaders. It is also issuing 7(j) distributions under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act two months early to help shareholders and its village corporations during the economic downturn. Section 7(j) of ANCSA provides for distribution of natural resource revenue sharing among the original 12 Alaska Native regional corporations.

“At Koniag, one of our driving values is sharing the catch,” Koniag President Shauna Hegna said. “We will do all we can to help our shareholders and our region to recover from COVID-19.”

The $50,000 is in addition to any federal CARES Act tribal relief funding that Koniag receives.

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“Koniag’s sole focus in applying for the CARES Act tribal relief funding is to help our Alaska Native people and communities impacted by the pandemic,” said Ron Unger, chairman and chief executive officer of Koniag.

The CARES Act is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act approved by Congress to address economic impacts of the pandemic.

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