ANCSA, which was a purposeful alternative to the Lower 48 reservation system, was the first settlement of its kind between Native Americans and the federal government. Alaska Natives were provided a corporate structure for holding land and capital, with the freedom to control their own economic and social future.
Old Harbor Native Corporation (OHNC) is one of 252 Native village corporations established by Congress in 1971 under the terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).
OHNC was incorporated in 1973 and originally enrolled 329 shareholders under the Act. Today, there are approximately 403 shareholders residing primarily in Anchorage, Kodiak and Old Harbor, but some as far away as Iceland and Switzerland.
The Corporation’s Board of Directors is tasked with the dual responsibility to grow and manage the assets of the Corporation for the benefit of the shareholders, and preserve and protect the culture and traditions of the community. The Corporation maintains a balanced portfolio of investments in the securities market and owns commercial property in Anchorage and Kodiak.
In 2002, the Corporation formed Three Saints Bay, LLC (TSB), as a wholly owned subsidiary, to take advantage of the many opportunities in the government contracting marketplace. Through its subsidiary companies TSB is able to acquire interest in service businesses or form new companies to pursue the opportunities afforded to Native owned companies; and TSB is actively expanding in the national and international business and government contracting arena. Three Saints Bay, LLC's mission statement is to provide economic assistance to the Native Village of Old Harbor; to advance the social, cultural, and professional aspirations of individuals of Old Harbor, our employees, and the communities in which we participate, by leveraging opportunities to create sustainable businesses in the federal market place. The Company has acquired or formed: Amee Bay LLC, Barling Bay, LLC, Rolling Bay, LLC, Shearwater Systems, LLC, Ocean Bay Information & Systems Management, LLC, Kiliuda Consulting, LLC. More information on each of the companies is available on their respective websites: www.ameebay.com; www.barlingbay.com; www.rolling-bay.com; www.shearwaterllc.com; www.oceanbayllc.com; and www.kiliuda.com
In 2012, OHNC identified the need for microwave telecommunication system in rural villages and established Kodiak Microwave Systems (KMS). OHNC owns 90% of the company and is partnered with Ouzinkie Native Corporation who owns 10%. KMS has engineered, constructed and operates the system. KMS has built systems in the villages of Old Harbor, Port Lions, Ouzinkie, Larsen Bay, and Akhiok on Kodiak Island and Port Graham and Nanwalek on the Kenai Peninsula. These systems provide services for emergency response, telemedicine, distance learning, high speed internet and cellular service for local businesses and residents.
Also in 2012, OHNC purchased 51% of Delta Leasing, LLC. Delta's primary operating activities are the leasing and rental of equipment throughout Alaska. Delta Leasing was established in 2002 to provide professional commercial leasing services for Alaska's major industries, including oil and gas, construction, and transportation. It is Delta's mission to meet and exceed clients' expectations safely delivering outstanding services, and providing a quality product in a timely and efficient manner while exercising impeccable ethics and values. More information can be found on their website: www.deltaleasing.com
In 2016, OHNC invested in Geofortis, LLC and owns 80% of the company. Geofortis’ natural pozzolan products, produced from Geofortis’ natural pozzolan products, produced from naturally occurring volcanic ash, replace Portland cement in concrete. Because Portland cement manufacturing is a significant source of greenhouse gases, natural pozzolans provide a greener alternative, at a lower cost, to pure cement mixes. Visit their website at www.geofortis.com
Looking forward, the Board of Directors and Management will continue to manage the Corporation with the challenge of meeting the dual responsibilities of preserving and protecting the Alutiiq culture, traditions and values of this 7,500 year-old community, while at the same time providing for the current and future economic wellbeing of the community and the Corporation. A task which has been successfully met by the Directors, the shareholders, and assisted by the wisdom of the elders for over forty years, and will continue to be met for generations to come.