Native corporations face deadline for federal relief funds

By BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Native corporations face a year-end deadline to use federal coronavirus relief funds that the U.S. Supreme Court in late June ruled they were entitled to. But an official with the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association says some corporations have yet to receive funds and others face challenges distributing money they have received. The U.S. Department of Treasury began making payments to Alaska Native corporations in early August. The U.S. Senate earlier this year passed legislation that would extend the deadline by a year to use the funds, and the House was expected to consider similar legislation. A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Don Young says Young is determined to secure an extension.