By SUZANNE DOWNING
March 2, 2026 – The Alaska House of Representatives on Monday passed House Concurrent Resolution 9, honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
The measure passed overwhelmingly, with Rep. Nellie Jimmie (D-Toksook Bay) casting the lone “no” vote.
HCR 9 was introduced by Rep. Ashley Carrick (D–Fairbanks) and commemorates the nation’s founding in 1776, recognizing both the historic significance of the Declaration of Independence and the evolution of the country over the past two and a half centuries.
During floor debate, several lawmakers spoke at length about the founding document and the legacy of the United States. Members acknowledged that while the nation’s history includes serious flaws and injustices, it also reflects enduring principles of liberty, self-government, and constitutional rights.
Rep. Jimmie, who frequently begins committee and floor remarks with a Native land acknowledgment, believes Alaska land is being occupied by a foreign power, and occasionally addresses the chamber in halting Yup’ik, spoke in opposition to the resolution. Her remarks were from a passage from the Declaration of Independence.
The passage she read appears in the list of grievances against King George III and reads:
“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions…”
The language reflects terminology used in the 18th century and has long been cited as one of the most controversial lines in the Declaration due to its characterization of Native peoples.
Jimmie struggled at points while reading her prepared remarks and did not quote the sentence accurately.
The resolution itself does not address specific historical controversies but instead formally recognizes the 250th anniversary, often referred to as the “Semiquincentennial,” which are being observed nationwide in 2026.
HCR 9 is a concurrent resolution, meaning it does not carry the force of law but expresses the Legislature’s sentiment.
Alaska, which became the 49th state in 1959, will join states across the country in recognizing the milestone anniversary next year.
From taxes to ‘occupied land’ politics, a Juneau hearing takes detour
8 thoughts on “Nellie Jimmie says ‘No’ to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States”
While exercising her constitutional rights to free speech, living in a country that provides her (and her constituents) with great wealth and opportunity, her bloviating exemplifies the height of shameful arrogance and ungratefulness.
“………Rep. Jimmie, who frequently begins committee and floor remarks with a Native land acknowledgment, believes Alaska land is being occupied by a foreign power………”
The United States recognized Alaska Native rights of sovereign land ownership and negotiated 10% of Alaska, or 44 million acres, as fee-simple, untaxed lands ownership to fewer than 100,000 Alaska Natives in 1972, along with a $900 million settlement payment (equivalent to $7 billion today), full American citizenship and Alaska residency with all rights and privileges, and special benefits to include full, free, and exclusive medical benefits. The negotiations are finished, all mantras to the contrary otherwise meaningless, and that’s why the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act includes the word “settlement”.
Yes, but it is fairly clear to me that many in the Native community want to pretend that ANCSA did not happen. The interest is to re-litigate the whole issue and make vastly expanded claims and demands over what was agreed to in 1971. There are many on the Left that support this approach as it gives rise to never-ending, never-satisfied grievance and status claims. Plus, under this plan, development of Alaska can be permanently stopped.
Why settle for one-fifth of Alaska when you can have it all?
BS to the native land acknowledgements.
Natives would be living in igloos and spruce bow huts ……struggling to survive without White man’s technical skills and exploration of the wilderness. Natives should be celebrating inventions which include snowmobiles, rifles, 4 wheelers, cellphones, toilet paper, trucks, currency for exchange, computers, winter construction materials, combustible oil and gas for heating, and just about everything else that they rely on, including travel to warm climates on jets, free education, and free medical via Medicaid. But instead, the Natives gripe about not getting a large PFD, more government freebies, and then complain about STD’s, abundance of alcohol and drugs, and sex abuse by their own kind.
Yes, the White man has given them so many things all they have left is to gripe about not getting more. This is what happens to a culture that can’t stand on its own and is continually appraised with more of the same by the Liberals that coddle them. Just say NO to land acknowledgements. They need to grow up. And be thankful for what they have received without any of their own sweat equity. Quit spoiling the baby.
Should we deny the history of Native Americans while simultaneously highlighting only the worst parts of the history of our country?
First the state needs to make sure they catch up today’s children’s reading skills and make sure today’s children 6 and under all know how to read well by third grade. So they can learn about other cultures and appreciate them.
Because a child who grows up not knowing how to read well, they will not read nor appreciate the cultures and differences of others.
Literacy comes first.
That’s the confusing part with these millennial political Natives is they want all the benefits of being an American but they are terribly resentful being an American
You can’t change what others did to your grandparents before you were born. Holding grudges and unforgiveness holds any person, people, or state back. Its weight that needs to be let go so you can Run fast fast and free into the future.
It’s a good thing Jimmie is child-less. Her unforgiving spirit would had made life difficult on a child who didn’t care and doesn’t care what happen over half a century ago because the child wasn’t yet born. You know lots of parents harbor unforgiveness and they make their children carry its weight.
Natives have to reflect on the same grandparents who faced the racism are the same ones Who gladly volunteered to serve the US Military in the WW1 and WW2 and Korean and Vietnam wars. They took the high road despite the racism they had experienced in order to serve this country like any other man.
It’s Grace and Love and Forgiveness that today’s Natives under 70 could reflect on and learn it. Before their Unforgiving spirit kills any more of our Native children because bearing their parents unforgiving spirit is too much for the Native youth today.