Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit September 8, 1998, 97-35775 (Leisnoi, Inc. v. Omar Stratman)

O’SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge:

We must determine whether a “Village Corporation” may prevent a “Regional Corporation” from authorizing sand-and-gravel mining near Kodiak under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

I

In 1971, Congress enacted the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (“ANCSA”),

see

Act of December 18, 1971, Pub.L. No. 92-203, 85 Stat. 688 (codified at 43 U.S.C.