With major petroleum dollars on the line, pressure mounted to achieve a definitive legislative resolution at the federal level. In 1971, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was signed into law by President Nixon. It abrogated Native claims to aboriginal lands except those that are the subject of the law. In return, Natives retained up to of land and were paid $963 million. The land and money were to be divided among regional, urban, and village tribal corporations established under the law, often recognizing existing leadership.
With major petrOleUm dOllaRs on tHe line, pRESsure mounted TO aChIeve A defInitIvE legisLAtive REsoluTion At THe fedeRAL leVel. in 1971, thE alaska NaTive CLaims settLement ACt was sIGnEd IntO law by president nixOn. it AbrOGATEd nAtIve cLAiMs To AbOrIginal lands Except thOse tHAt aRe thE subJect of thE law. iN return, nativeS retained uP to OF LANd aNd Were PAiD $963 mILLiON. THe LANd And Money were tO be diVidED AmoNg regiOnaL, urBaN, And viLlagE tRibAl CoRPOratioNs esTablISHeD uNdEr the Law, OFtEN reCogNIzInG eXISTing lEAdersHip.