NATIVE PURPOSE.
Shared Benefit.
Chenega’s success shows how federal contracting can support public missions while strengthening Alaska Native communities.
FEDERAL CONTRACTING WITH A LARGER PURPOSE
Chenega Corporation’s participation in federal contracting is rooted in a broader mission: building sustainable business growth that supports shareholders, descendants, the Native Village of Chenega, and future generations.
Through congressionally authorized programs like the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, Chenega companies help the US government meet important mission needs while advancing Chenega’s commitment to economic self-sufficiency, responsible land stewardship, and the preservation of cultural traditions and values.
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
Building long-term economic strength that benefits shareholders, descendants, and future generations.
STEWARDING LAND AND COMMUNITY
Supporting tribal government, village infrastructure, and responsible land management.
PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE
Protecting Chenega traditions, cultural values, and community identity while ensuring they endure for future generations.
FUNCTIONAL BACKGROUND
THE ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT
Chenega Corporation’s role in federal contracting is inseparable from the history and purpose of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA).
Through this congressionally established settlement, Alaska Native people relinquished aboriginal land claims in exchange for ownership interests in Alaska Native Corporations. Those corporations received land, monetary compensation, and tools for business participation so they could serve as the continuing vehicle for delivering the value of that settlement to the Alaska Native people. This was not a one-time arrangement. ANCSA created a structure intended to endure and be carried forward through Alaska Native ownership, corporate growth, responsible land management, and participation in the broader economy, including federal contracting and business opportunities outside Alaska.
For Chenega, that responsibility continues today. Business success is one way Chenega carries forward the purpose of ANCSA: preserving the value of shareholder ownership, protecting Chenega lands, strengthening community infrastructure, and supporting future generations.
When Chenega companies succeed, success reaches beyond the contract.
We support people, place, culture, stewardship, and future generations.
FEDERAL POLICY
THE SBA 8(a) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Congress authorized ANC-owned firms to participate in the 8(a) Business Development Program as part of the broader settlement framework created through ANCSA. This pathway enables qualified companies to pursue federal contracting opportunities while supporting long-term economic self-determination for Alaska Native people, descendants, and communities.
ANC 8(a) participation helps realize the promise of ANCSA by supporting successful Alaska Native Corporations that can participate in the federal marketplace beyond Alaska and carry economic value back to Alaska Native communities.
For federal agencies, ANC 8(a) participation is one of several authorized procurement tools available to meet government needs while working with capable, mission-focused contractors. Contracts may be awarded through competitive 8(a) procurements or, when allowed by law, through sole-source awards.
The 8(a) Program is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and ANC participation operates within federal procurement rules, eligibility standards, and oversight requirements.Here goes your text … Select any part of your text to access the formatting toolbar.
$100,000
Invested annually in scholarships (approx)
>50
Years Chenega has carried forward a congressionally established framework
4th
Largest Alaska-based company
≈9,000
Employees supported who benefit their communities
WHY ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATIONS PARTICIPATE
Alaska Native Corporation participation in the 8(a) Program is not incidental. It is specifically authorized within the ANCSA settlement Act pursuant to the Indian Commerce Clause of the US Constitution.
In 1986, Congress authorized ANC-owned firms to participate in the SBA 8(a) Program. Since then, Congress has extended specific procurement provisions for ANC-owned 8(a) firms, including the ability for ANCs to own multiple 8(a) subsidiaries and for qualified ANC-owned firms to receive certain sole-source contracts. The US Government Accountability Office (GOA) has reviewed and described these provisions as congressionally authorized.
These provisions reflect the unique role of ANCs. Unlike ordinary private corporations, ANCs were created through ANCSA to support Alaska Native economic development, shareholder benefit, and long-term community strength. In this way, 8(a) participation demonstrates how federal contracting opportunities are connected to Native self-determination and community benefit.
A REGULATED FEDERAL CONTRACTING PATHWAY
Participation in the federally regulated 8(a) Program includes eligibility requirements, ownership and control rules, contract requirements, agency procurement responsibilities, and SBA oversight.
Government oversight bodies have recognized that ANC participation in the 8(a) Program is unique and significant, and that oversight should be tailored to reflect the structure, responsibilities, and public purpose of Alaska Native Corporations.
That oversight is an important part of responsible federal contracting. It helps ensure that the program operates as intended, that federal agencies follow procurement requirements, and that ANC-owned firms participating in the program remain accountable to applicable rules.
This is the right way to understand ANC participation: as a lawful, structured, and monitored pathway within the federal procurement system.
$7.8
Million invested in village infrastructure
3rd
Together, ANCs are the 3rd largest employer in the sate of Alaska
50
Operations across all 50 states
70%
of Alaska Native contracting supports national defense
MISSION
CHENEGA’S MISSION
Chenega Corporation’s mission is to achieve sustainable growth in its businesses in order to support shareholders in their journey to economic self-sufficiency, actively manage Chenega lands, and uphold cultural traditions and values.
That mission guides Chenega’s business decisions, from corporate leadership to operating companies. Chenega works to deliver value to customers while also providing meaningful benefits to Alaska Native shareholders and supporting the long-term health of the Chenega community.
Today, government contracting is a major part of Chenega’s business model.
That business success helps make shareholder programs, education support, cultural preservation, village infrastructure, and community investment possible.
WHAT OUR BUSINESS
SUCCESS SUPPORTS
Education and Scholarships
Chenega Future, Inc. provides scholarships for education and training to shareholders, spouses, and descendants. Chenega invests approximately $100,000 annually in scholarships, and in fiscal year 2024 awarded 16 scholarships totaling $91,545.
These investments help support educational access, workforce development, and long-term opportunity for future generations.
Career Development and Employment
Chenega supports shareholders and families through resume writing and application assistance, job search support, career counseling, internships, youth career exploration, and village training opportunities. Programs such as Future Quest, internships, and village employment initiatives help connect the Chenega people to education, training, and meaningful work.
Culture and Language Preservation
Chenega invests in cultural preservation through youth fish camp, language resources, oral history recordings, cultural curriculum, Native artist programs, memorial gatherings, and projects that preserve the stories, faith, subsistence traditions, and history of the Chenega people.
These efforts help ensure that business growth supports not only economic benefit, but also cultural continuity.
Health, Wellness, and Family Support
Chenega provides shareholder-focused support that includes life insurance, confidential health and wellness assistance, substance abuse treatment support, burial and bereavement assistance, and other family-centered programs.
- 100% of alcohol and/or substance abuse treatment costs up to a lifetime maximum of $30,000
- 24/7 confidential counseling for mental health, financial management, family support, and other personal needs
- Elder and maternity/paternity support that recognizes the importance of caring for shareholders across generations
Village Infrastructure and Community Development
Chenega has invested in road improvements, community building upgrades, airport enhancements, home energy efficiency, health clinic support, housing, subsistence food infrastructure, fisheries, eco-tourism, and other projects tied to quality of life and long-term economic development in Prince William Sound.
Chenega Corporation also provides ongoing support for the tribal government and community, helping sustain and serve the Native Village of Chenega and its people. This includes support for tribal government operations, community administration, city management, the tribal administrator role, and other local functions that help the community plan, coordinate, and respond to everyday needs.
Environmental Protection of Valuable Lands
Chenega’s connection to Prince William Sound carries a responsibility to protect the lands, waters, fisheries, and subsistence resources that support the Chenega people. After the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Chenega joined Tatitlek and Chugach corporations in 1994 to create TCC, a partnership focused on oil spill response and recovery training in Prince William Sound. The effort supports environmental readiness while creating job opportunities for shareholders and their families in Valdez and Cordova.
BENEFITS
WHY CHENEGA’S SUCCESS MATTERS
Chenega’s success means more than the fiscal growth of one corporation. Chenega and its companies strengthen Alaska Native self-determination, support families, create employment and training opportunities, and help preserve lands, waters, language, culture, and traditions in Prince William Sound.
For federal agencies and partners, Chenega companies provide experienced, mission-focused support for critical government work, including services that help strengthen national security and defense readiness. For Alaska, Chenega’s business growth helps sustain communities, expand opportunity, and invest in long-term economic development. For the American public, Chenega supports almost 9,000 employees whose families and communities benefit from stable employment. For the Chenega people, Chenega’s success carries forward a settlement promise of self-determination by supporting tribal government operations and the local capacity needed to serve the community.
When Chenega companies succeed, that success reaches beyond the contract. It supports people, place, culture, stewardship, and future generations.
FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES
We provide experienced, mission-focused support for important government work and national defense.Chenega has distinguished itself as the most successful Alaska Native Village Corporation through a commitment to social responsibility and ethics.
FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS
We help sustain communities, expand opportunity, and invest in long-term economic development.Our pledge is simple: we do it right, every time. Our corporate culture is steeped in the values and ethics that flow from our Alaska Native leaders.
FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
We support nearly 9,000 families across America, and local businesses in all 50 United States.The story of the Chenega people is one of tenacity and endurance in the face of astounding hardship.
70% of Alaska Native contracting supports national defense
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the ANC SBA 8(a) Business Development Program?
The 8(a) Program is a federal business development and contracting program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It allows Alaska Native Corporations to grow multiple businesses across diverse contracting sectors in the federal marketplace, both across the U.S. and abroad.
Why do Alaska Native Corporations participate in 8(a)?
ANC-owned firms were authorized by Congress to participate in the 8(a) Program as part of the broader federal framework created through ANCSA. This participation helps Alaska Native Corporations build long-term business capacity, support Alaska Native economic development and self-determination, and assist in the delivery of benefits promised to the Alaska Native people, descendants, and communities.
Is ANC participation in 8(a) part of federal law?
Yes. ANC participation in the 8(a) Program is authorized under federal law, including Congress’s authority under the Indian Commerce Clause. Congress also extended specific procurement provisions to ANC-owned 8(a) firms as part of the broader federal framework supporting Alaska Native economic self-determination.
How does Chenega’s business success support shareholders?
Chenega’s business success helps support dividends, scholarships, education and employment programs, health and wellness assistance, cultural preservation, village infrastructure, tribal governance, land stewardship, and other shareholder and community benefits for the Chenega people.
Does every Chenega company participate in the 8(a) Program?
No. Participation depends on each company’s eligibility, status, and business focus—many companies have graduated from the ANC 8(a) program and continue to operate in the competitive marketplace.