The Corporate Governance of the Biggest Corporations You’ve Never Heard Of

When Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971, it directed the creation of twelve regional and over two hundred village corporations chartered under Alaska state law. ANCSA subjected these corporations to Alaska’s corporate governance framework, including the laws and regulations governing corporate elections. This Article examines the statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to ANCSA corporations, including the various requirements around ANCSA corporation annual shareholder meetings. It also analyzes relevant state and federal case law interpreting and applying these requirements. Finally, the Article explores the rights and responsibilities of corporate directors and officers, as well as the role of shareholders in ANCSA corporate governance.