Sullivan’s opposition to subsistence rights does not stop with the Pebble Mine. As Commissioner, Sullivan also sought to marginalize tribal efforts to protect subsistence fisheries by pressing for enactment of Alaska House Bill 77. That bill would have granted Sullivan broad discretion to issue permits without any public notice, would have abolished the public’s right to weigh in or appeal permitting decisions, and would have blocked Tribes from applying for in- stream-flow water rights to protect fish. Sullivan was unapologetic in embracing this failed legislation, telling Radio Kenai in March 2014 that “I led that effort and am proud of it.” Sullivan’s track record on Native rights fares just as poorly when it comes to tribal sovereignty. As Attorney General, Sullivan hired a high-powered Washington, D.C. law firm at over one thousand dollars per hour to secure U.S. Supreme Court review of a case that had recognized tribal court authority over member children. At issue was the State’s refusal to give full faith and credit to a tribal court order in a tribal adoption case heard by the Kaltag Tribal Court.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:26:28 +0000
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