Judge: Alaska corporations can get tribal virus relief money

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that Alaska Native corporations are eligible for a share of coronavirus relief funding set aside for tribes. Congress included $8 million for tribes in a relief package approved earlier this year. Tribal nations sued to keep it out of the hands of Alaska Native corporations, arguing that they didn’t qualify.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., disagreed in a ruling late Friday. He said the corporations can be treated as tribal governments for limited purposes.

Various tribes said they are reviewing the decision and deciding on the next steps. The Treasury Department didn’t respond to a request for comment.