Are you an Alaska Native Vietnam-era veteran who served between Aug. 5, 1964 and Dec. 31, 1971, or a descendant of one?
The Dingell Act’s 5-year-long Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Program of 2019 is still open and accepting applications, with 11 million acres now available for selection by eligible veterans. Applications for the program will be accepted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) through December 29, 2025, for the estimated 2,200 eligible veterans and heirs.
The program provides the opportunity for eligible Vietnam-era veterans or their heirs to select 2.5 to 160 acres of Federal land in Alaska under the 2019 Dingell Act. The program is open to all eligible Alaska Natives who served between Aug. 5, 1964, and Dec. 31, 1971, and it removes the requirement for personal use or occupancy mandated under previous laws. Those receiving allotments under previous programs are ineligible.
BLM needs help locating more than 690 potentially eligible veterans and families nationwide (including 12 in the Ahtna region) and getting them to provide current addresses to the Bureau of Indian Affairs at (907) 271-4506. They can’t provide names due to Privacy Act concerns, but you can ask around for people who served between 1964 and 1971.
Get the latest updates, a map of available lands for selection, and answers to frequently asked questions about the program at www.blm.gov/alaska/2019AKNativeVetsLand.
Contact the BLM Native Allotment Section with questions at (907) 271-5998 or CGrimes@blm.gov. The Ahtna Land Department is also available to assist Ahtna Shareholders and their families by calling (907) 822-3476.
Update your information with:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
Enrollment Verification: (907) 271-4506
Realty: (800) 645-8465
BIA Realty Tribal Service Providers: www.bia.gov/regional-offices/alaska/real-estate-services/tribal-service-providers - Department of Veterans Affairs
www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits
(800) 827-1000 - Your Local Tribal Organization
- Your Personal Representative
Appoint a personal representative for eligible individuals who are deceased or their heirs: www.courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/probate.htm
Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) may be able to provide assistance with coordinating personal representatives. You can find them online at www.alsc-law.org/.