Alaskans for Better Government is a ballot initiative that would require the State of Alaska to formally acknowledge Alaska Native Tribes. Learn more at www.alaskansforbettergovernment.com.

This would create a long overdue permanent government-to-government relationship between the State and our Alaska Native Tribes. The math is quite simple: 1 + 1 = 2. With a respectful partnership we'll have more ways to enhance the lives of Alaskans by streamlining services; partnering to amplify federal and state funding for deep, sustainable, and long-term impact; and tapping in to the over 10,000 plus years of Indigenous brilliance, diversity, and knowledge of our Native homelands that so many now call home.  

The basis of any good relationship is respect, and too often when sovereign governments cannot work together our Tribal peoples disproportionately bear the price of injustice, diminishing equity, liberty, and freedoms for all.  

Alaskans for Better Government is a strength-based solution to a troubled history between the State and Alaska Native Tribes. We know the citizens of our beautiful state, and all of our entities, will see the value in making things right in this relationship so we can get on with solution-making for entrenched state issues, rather than spending money suing our Tribes in state and federal courts. Together, in a mutually agreed upon and solid relationship, the State and the Tribes could leverage their status, infrastructure, and funds and have the potential to generate millions of dollars to invest in education, healthcare, criminal justice, and more.

Our Tribal citizens, our Native peoples, all Alaskans, and our future generations deserve better, and we believe this initiative will lead to a better government for all Alaskans.


We urgently need help, and there are a few important ways to get involved right now:

-FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: The cost of gathering signatures to qualify for the 2022 general election ballot is significantly higher this year due to COVID-19, and we need to raise $1M to meet our goal and prepare for legal challenges. Checks can be made out to Alaskans for Better Government and mailed to the address below.

-ENDORSEMENTS: These demonstrate the breadth and depth of support we have across our homelands, communities, and various industries and organizations. You can make an endorsement as a Tribe, Tribal Organizations, Alaska Native Corporation, Tribal Health and Housing entity, private business or industry, membership association, social group, community council, religious group, or as an individual.

-COALITION: Whether you want to serve on the advisory board or help distribute materials to your community, the diversity of coalition members will help us reach every Alaskan with information about the importance of this initiative. Your support as a coalition member also sends a strong signal about the critical need for this ballot initiative to secure and formalize for the State of Alaska a government-to-government relationship with Alaska Native Tribes.

-SIGNATURE GATHERING: We need to secure just over 36,000 signatures from every corner of Alaska before January 2022. Let us know if you can do a 5-hour shift (or more!) in a covid safe manner at your local gathering place.

We look forward to your support and help.

Háw'aa, Gunalchéesh, Thank you,
 Chalyaa Éesh Richard Peterson, La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow, 'Waahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake

This communication was paid for by Alaskans for Better Government, 721 Depot Dr, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99501. Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, Chair, approved this communication. Top contributors are Sixteen Thirty Fund, Washington, DC; Tides Advocacy, San Francisco, CA; and Copper River Native Association, Copper Center, AK. Photo credit: Konrad Frank