Aleut Lands

Under terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), Aleut received 70,789 acres of surface lands and 1.572 million acres of subsurface estate. The majority of Aleut’s ANCSA selections are located on the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian, Shumagin, and Pribilof Islands situated between Port Moller, the Alaska Peninsula, and the western tip of Atka Island. In addition to these lands, Aleut owns the village site of Attu, as well as numerous historical and cemetery sites between Atka and the Alaska Peninsula.

Acreage

  • Subsurface Acres – 1,500,000
  • Surface/ Subsurface Acres – 70,000
  • Adak Acres – 47,150

Tuman tanax̂agliisaax̂tan.
Take care of our land.

Land Use

Aleut is committed to being good stewards of our lands, protecting our cultural sites and ensuring the continued use for generations to come.

Aleut’s lands are privately-owned and require the purchase of a Land Use Permit Form for activities such as hiking, camping, berry picking, bird watching, sightseeing, photography, filming, fishing, hunting, and general recreation.

Aleut’s Land Use Permit program grants access to Aleut ancestral lands. Currently the Land Use Permit extends to Adak Island only, though Aleut is working to provide permits for other areas along the Aleutian Chain, Shumagin and Pribilof Islands as well.

The purchase of a Land Permit supports important programs which help maintain the lands for enjoyment by current and future generations. Whether traveling with or without a guide, individuals will need to secure a permit before traveling. Use of Aleut lands without a permit and entering Aleut-owned buildings regardless of permit status is considered trespassing under Alaska State law.

For more information regarding what activities are permitted, please read through the information available on the Adak Land Use Permit page or contact us.

Permit cost is determined based on usage and trip duration. Daily permits are $20/day, weekly permits are $40 per week, and seasonal (6-month) permits are available for $60. Aleut shareholders and registered descendants are not charged for land use but are encouraged to complete the permit process.

Adak is the only area currently covered by our Land Use Permit.

Gravel, Sand, and Rock

Aleut’s Lands Department oversees sand, gravel, and rock, which are essential to developing community infrastructure. Aleut manages material sites on Adak while our Village Corporations manage sites across the Aleut region.

Aleut works in collaboration with village and community leadership as well as with residents to discuss projects, development, and reclamation plans as well as training and employment opportunities. The material sites are not only available for large scale projects, but also for community projects and individual shareholder projects.

Click below to read more about Aleut gravel, sand, and rock.

Adak Island

Adak Island was populated by the Unangax̂ people until the 1830s when permanent villages were abandoned, and the island was then used for subsistence. In 1942 during World War II, the Adak Army Airfield was established for defensive action against Japanese forces occupying Attu and Kiska. In 1945 the facilities were transferred to Alaskan Air Command and then transferred again to the U.S. Navy in 1950 until the facility was closed on March 31, 1997, through the Base Realignment and Closure Program of 1995.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), Aleut received 70,789 acres of surface lands and 1.572 million acres of subsurface estate which are managed by Aleut’s Land Department.

  • Subsurface Acres – 1,572,000
  • Surface/ Subsurface Acres – 70,789
  • Adak Acres – 47,150

The majority of Aleut’s ANCSA selections are located on the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian, Shumagin, and Pribilof Islands situated between Port Moller, the Alaska Peninsula, and the western tip of Atka Island. In addition to these lands, Aleut owns the village site of Attu, as well as numerous historical and cemetery sites between Atka and the Alaska Peninsula.

Aleut lands are privately-owned and require purchase of a land use permit for activities such as hiking, camping, berry picking, bird watching, sightseeing, photography, filming, fishing, hunting, and general recreation. Permits are issued for hunting caribou or birds using one of Aleut’s allowed hunting guides; all other hunting, however, is strictly prohibited. The purchase of an Aleut land permit helps support important programs to help maintain the lands for enjoyment by current and future generations. Use of Aleut lands without a permit is considered trespass under Alaska State law. Click to view or submit an Adak Land Use Permit.

Whether you’re a first-time or frequent visitor, there are many recreational activities to do in the Aleut Region such as hiking, camping, berry picking, bird watching, sightseeing, photography, filming, fishing, or hunting. Please remember that any permissible use of Aleut lands will require a Land Use permit. To find out more about what you can do in the Aleut Region, please visit our Resources page.

Yes, you can fish with an active and up-to-date Land Use Permit. Throughout the bays, lagoons, and streams of Adak, you can find salmon, dollies, and Black Rockfish. For more information on specific species on Adak please call or visit the Adak US Fish and Wildlife Service office. Visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service website.

Aleut lands are considered private property under Alaska statute. Any non-authorized use on Aleut lands will be considered trespass and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

To record film or video on Aleut lands for commercial purposes, a filmmaker or production company needs the expressed written permission of Aleut. In 2020, portions of the series Adak Gold was filmed on Aleut lands on Adak Island.

Aleut material sites are not only available for large scale projects, but also for community projects and individual shareholder projects. Various mineral exploration and mining companies need to meet certain criteria prior to exploration activities. For more information about the management, exploration, and development of Aleut’s subsurface estate, please contact info@aleutcorp.com.

Generally, Aleut will issue a special-use permit to government agencies and nonprofit organizations on a case-by-case basis to conduct scientific studies on Aleut lands with certain restrictions and data-sharing requirements.