We the People of Alaska |
Project questions
WE THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA QUESTIONS
Unit One: History
1. What has been the lasting impact from Russian settlement in Alaska?
2. What motivated Alaskans to seek statehood?
3. Why did Alaska hold a Constitutional Convention and how did the delegates create the State Constitution?
4. As Alaska sought statehood, many Americans in the Lower 48 believed that Alaska should not become a state. What were their reasons? How were Alaskans able to overcome this opposition?
Unit Two: Natural Resources
1. What was the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA)? How has it impacted Alaska?
2. Why was land ownership an issue in constructing the Trans-Alaska Pipeline? How was this issue resolved?
3. Is the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA) effective at combating overfishing in Alaska? Why or why not?
4. What role has mining played in the history of Alaska and how may it be important in the future?
Unit Three: Alaska Natives
1. Early treaties signed in America included a commitment on the part of the United States to provide health care for all indigenous peoples. How has this been manifested in Alaska? Has the United States met its responsibilities in Alaska according to its treaty agreements?
2. What was the Alaska Native civil rights movement and what was its impact on Alaska?
3. What is the importance of the subsistence lifestyle to rural Alaska?
4. Why are some Alaska Natives calling for “tribal sovereignty”? What is "tribal sovereignty"? Should Alaska Native tribes be given this status?
Unit Four: Governing Entities (Federal, State, Local and Tribal)
1. What is the relationship between the State of Alaska and the federal government politically and economically?
2. What has been the role of the US military in the history of Alaska? Is it as important today as it has been in the past? Explain your answer.
3. In the State of Alaska's Constitution, Article X, Section 2, provides that two forms of local government, cities and organized boroughs, form the basic structure of Alaska's Municipal Government. What is the structure of these two local forms of government? What are their roles and duties? Why didn't the founders include "Counties" as a form of local government?
4. Please discuss the pros and cons of opening the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge for drilling for oil. In your opinion should it be opened? Support your answer.
Unit Five: The Economy
1. How does Alaska’s geography impact its economy?
2. As oil production declines, what fiscal challenges face the state of Alaska in the future? How can these challenges be best addressed?
3. To what extent is Alaska dependent on international trade?
4. What new infrastructure is needed to continue to promote a healthy economic environment in Alaska?
Unit Six: The Alaska Model
1. Why and how was the Permanent Fund created? Was the development of this Fund a good or bad decision? Explain.
2. What energy sources are available in Alaska? How should energy needs in Alaska be addressed?
3. What has been the impact of the formation of Alaska Native corporations in Alaska under ANCSA? Was the decision to use regional Native corporations vs. reservations a good decision? Explain your answer.
4. Senator Ted Stevens will be forever remembered as one of the most important persons in the history of our state. What should be included in discussing his legacy to Alaska?
Unit One: History
1. What has been the lasting impact from Russian settlement in Alaska?
2. What motivated Alaskans to seek statehood?
3. Why did Alaska hold a Constitutional Convention and how did the delegates create the State Constitution?
4. As Alaska sought statehood, many Americans in the Lower 48 believed that Alaska should not become a state. What were their reasons? How were Alaskans able to overcome this opposition?
Unit Two: Natural Resources
1. What was the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA)? How has it impacted Alaska?
2. Why was land ownership an issue in constructing the Trans-Alaska Pipeline? How was this issue resolved?
3. Is the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA) effective at combating overfishing in Alaska? Why or why not?
4. What role has mining played in the history of Alaska and how may it be important in the future?
Unit Three: Alaska Natives
1. Early treaties signed in America included a commitment on the part of the United States to provide health care for all indigenous peoples. How has this been manifested in Alaska? Has the United States met its responsibilities in Alaska according to its treaty agreements?
2. What was the Alaska Native civil rights movement and what was its impact on Alaska?
3. What is the importance of the subsistence lifestyle to rural Alaska?
4. Why are some Alaska Natives calling for “tribal sovereignty”? What is "tribal sovereignty"? Should Alaska Native tribes be given this status?
Unit Four: Governing Entities (Federal, State, Local and Tribal)
1. What is the relationship between the State of Alaska and the federal government politically and economically?
2. What has been the role of the US military in the history of Alaska? Is it as important today as it has been in the past? Explain your answer.
3. In the State of Alaska's Constitution, Article X, Section 2, provides that two forms of local government, cities and organized boroughs, form the basic structure of Alaska's Municipal Government. What is the structure of these two local forms of government? What are their roles and duties? Why didn't the founders include "Counties" as a form of local government?
4. Please discuss the pros and cons of opening the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge for drilling for oil. In your opinion should it be opened? Support your answer.
Unit Five: The Economy
1. How does Alaska’s geography impact its economy?
2. As oil production declines, what fiscal challenges face the state of Alaska in the future? How can these challenges be best addressed?
3. To what extent is Alaska dependent on international trade?
4. What new infrastructure is needed to continue to promote a healthy economic environment in Alaska?
Unit Six: The Alaska Model
1. Why and how was the Permanent Fund created? Was the development of this Fund a good or bad decision? Explain.
2. What energy sources are available in Alaska? How should energy needs in Alaska be addressed?
3. What has been the impact of the formation of Alaska Native corporations in Alaska under ANCSA? Was the decision to use regional Native corporations vs. reservations a good decision? Explain your answer.
4. Senator Ted Stevens will be forever remembered as one of the most important persons in the history of our state. What should be included in discussing his legacy to Alaska?