Land allotments represent the federal government’s obligation to Native veterans, but progress is slow
The Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Allotment Program of 2019 permits eligible Vietnam-era veterans or their heirs to apply for up to 160 acres of federal land in Alaska. The program is designed to compensate Vietnam veterans or their heirs who, because of their active-duty service, were unable to file a land claim under the Alaska Native Allotment Act.
Unfortunately, drawn-out and confusing processes, combined with limited lands made available by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), have presented barriers to successful land transfers. Many of the parcels listed as “potentially available” on BLM’s selection website are not available without additional and onerous steps required by the State of Alaska or an Alaska Native corporation.
Currently, it takes approximately two years for a transfer to occur once an application is received. As of Oct. 10, approximately 330 applications had been received by BLM statewide and only 14 had been certified.
The bureaucratic challenges delaying land transfers do not fulfill the promise made to Alaska Native veterans by the federal government. CIRI is working in partnership with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), ANCSA Regional Association and our sister Alaska Native regional corporations to advocate for the fulfillment of these transfers.
The AFN Board of Directors has established a statewide Alaska Native Veterans Committee focused on developing solutions to this issue. We will continue to work in partnership with other Alaska Native organizations to advocate for the proper implementation of the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Allotment Program.
If you or a family member is having challenges with your Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Allotment, more information is available from BLM’s local representative:
Candy A. Grimes
Land Transfer Resolution Specialist
Chief, Section of Adjudication Services
Division of Lands and Cadastral Survey
BLM—Alaska State Office
Phone: (907) 271-5998
Email: cgrimes@blm.gov
Visit the BLM website for the latest updates, a map of lands available for selection and answers to frequently asked questions.
If you are eligible for an allotment under this program, the deadline for submission is Dec. 29, 2025.
