It was in the mid to late 60’s that our leaders were talking about creating a borough so they can control and tax whomever came on their homeland. At that time, we had reindeer herders traveling from the Canadian border to Point Hope.
In the book “Taking Control” the story of self determination, you will read and find the key individuals as they united to chart our history and our future in the north.
Preamble of the North Slope Borough:
We, the people of the North Slope Borough area, in order to form an efficient and economical government with just representation, and in order to provide local government responsive to the will of the people, and to the continuing needs of the communities, do hereby ratify and establish this Home Rule Charter of the North Slope Borough of Alaska.
IĻISIMARAKSRAQ North-Slope Borough-kun
Uvagut, iňuuruaguut irrituruam nunaŋani, inillaiňiaġupta savalluataġniaqtuamik kavamamik iluqaisa iňuvut nipiqallasiļugich, suli iňuŋisa nunapta tilikpatigut savaaġitqulugu suna piļļalugu, iglauniksraŋannun nunaaqqillaat, iviġagigikput suli inillakkikput Pitqurriuġumiňaqsivlutalu aŋalatchiyumiňaqsivlutalu uvaptigun tamaani nunaptigni.
*this book “Taking Control” needs to be a required read in our Schools.