Sharing cultural connections and passing our heritage to future generations
For the first time in Choggiung’s history, Descendants and Missed Enrollees will be able to apply for enrollment as Shareholders of the corporation! At the 48th Annual Meeting held on September 24, 2022, Shareholders passed a resolution to amend the Articles of Incorporation to issue new shares of settlement common stock to descendants of original shareholders and missed enrollees.
Enrollment applications for 25 Class B Life Estate Stock are now being accepted and will be approved on a rolling basis. Descendant enrollment will remain open until the 80,000 Board approved stock is depleted.
We are excited for future generations of shareholders who will strengthen the corporation by bringing new ideas, voices, and leadership.
Shareholders have important responsibilities that are essential to the success of the corporation including voting on Choggiung leadership and other corporation issues. Read our Shareholder Handbook to learn about benefits, resources, voting, and more.
You must answer yes to all the statements below.
I was born after December 18, 1971
I am a lineal Descendant by birth or adoption of an original Choggiung Limited Shareholder
I have not enrolled as a Descendant in another ANCSA Village Corporation that has already gone through the process of open enrollment.
You must answer yes to all the statements below.
I was born on or before December 18, 1971
I am a U.S. citizen
I have at least ¼ Alaska Native Blood Quantum
I have not enrolled as an original or missed enrollee shareholder of another ANCSA Village
Eligibility can be for missed enrollees or for descendants. You must be able to answer "Yes" to all the questions in our eligibility guide.
Descendant applicants should be prepared to submit verification documents to show proof of applicant’s legal name, date of birth, and lineal descent. Acceptable documents include a certified copy of a birth certificate, copy of your social security card, adoption papers or other documentation showing the applicant’s relationship to a lineal family member who is an original Choggiung Shareholder. Additional documents may be required if applicable such as: Proof of Name Change, Proof of Custodianship, Paternity Affidavit, or Adoption Court Order. If sponsoring an applicant, the sponsor’s legal name and proof of relationship to and responsibility for the applicant must be established.
Missed Enrollee applicants must meet ANCSA requirements and should also be prepared to submit verification documents to show proof of legal name, date of birth, lineal descent and or birth/residency tie to Dillingham, Ekuk or Portage Creek. The applicant must show proof of U.S. citizenship, and ¼ Alaska Native blood quantum. Acceptable documents include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, adoption papers, Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB), and other documentation showing the applicant’s birth in, or residency, Social Security Card, relationship to or lineal descent from someone from Dillingham, Ekuk, or Portage Creek.
Document verification is required for enrollment.
For Alaska vital records, contact: Anchorage (907) 269-0991;
Fairbanks (907) 452-4863; or Juneau (907) 465-3391 (or) apply
online for an Alaska birth certificate here →
If you were born outside of Alaska, contact your
birth state records office by finding it in the CDC Directory here →
Missed enrollees can request a
Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) by contacting the Bureau of
Indian Affairs at: Anchorage (907) 271-3519; Fairbanks (907)
456-0522; or Juneau (907) 586-7635.
Questions frequently asked regarding descendant enrollment. If you have questions beyond those listed here, please be sure to reach out to us.
A missed enrollee or “left-out” is a Native alive when ANCSA became law on December 18, 1971 and who was qualified for original enrollment as a Choggiung shareholder, but who missed the original enrollment deadline. They must be a citizen of the United States and of ¼ degree or more of Alaska Native blood.
No, there is no blood quantum requirement for descendant enrollment.
Yes, if you are qualified and your application has been completed, verified, and approved, you will receive 25 shares of Class B stock in addition to any original shares you already own. The original Class A stock can continue to be gifted and inherited, but the Class B stock cannot.
You can enroll if you have been gifted or inherited shares from another Village Corporation; however, if you are a descendant who has already enrolled in another Village Corporation who opened enrollment, you are not eligible to enroll with Choggiung.
Class B descendant shares will not have voting rights until the shareholder to whom they were issued reaches the age of 18. If the enrollee is 18 or older, they will have voting rights.
Life estate stock are shares that go back to the Corporation, without compensation, upon the death of the owner of the shares. The shares can then be re-issued to a new descendant in the future. Life estate stock cannot be gifted or passed on by inheritance.
No. ANCSA only allows gifting laterally to brothers and sisters, and downward. Once those shares have been gifted, they cannot be returned to the original shareholder.
The Board and Management intend to maintain its expectation of ‘predictable and ever-increasing dividends/distributions.’ However, the initial enrollment of shareholder descendants will have a large impact on dividends/distributions. Because funds will be distributed to a larger number of shares outstanding, and because the distribution is dependent on Corporate & Trust financial health, a smaller distribution per share may result.
The financial impact depends on the number of descendants who enroll. Having more shareholders means administrative costs will increase, and dividends will be distributed among a larger number of shareholders.
No, new enrollees will not receive past distributions. New enrollees will receive their first distribution once their application has been verified and approved.
Choggiung does not have a definite number at this time; however, it is estimated (by the ISER study) that approximately 1,800 descendants would qualify. If the vote passes, the Board has approved 80,000 new shares. Each descendant who enrolls will receive 25 shares which leaves room for up to 3,200 new enrollees and an opportunity for newborn descendants to enroll long after this vote is approved.
Choggiung's shareholder relations team is happy to answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to us anytime.
Contact
Choggiung Limited is governed by a Board of Directors made up of nine shareholders holding voting rights in the corporation. Terms of office are three years with terms rotating and three directors being elected annually by our shareholders.
Board of Directors, with three elected each year
Employees including Choggiung Ltd. and our subsidiaries
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