CHAPTER 24
Page 52
AN ACT
(Ch. 24)
To define and establish the political status of certain
Native Indians within the Territory of Alaska.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE TERRITORY OF ALASKA
Native Indians, citizens under provisions of Sec. 6, Ch. 119
Section 1. Every native Indian born within the limits of the Territory of Alaska, and who has severed all tribal relationship and adopted the habits of a civilized life in accordance with Section Six (6), Chapter One hundred and nineteen (119), may, after the passage and approval of this act, have the fact of his citizenship definitely established by complying with the terms hereafter set forth.
Section 2. Every native Indian of the Territory of Alaska who shall desire a certificate of his citizenship shall make application to a United States Government, Territorial or municipal school, and shall be subject to an examination by a majority of the teachers of such school as to his or her qualifications and claims for citizenship. Such examination shall broadly cover the general qualifications of the applicant as to an intelligent exercise of the obligations of suffrage, a total abandonment of any tribal custom or relationship, and the facts regarding the applicant’s adoption of the habits of a civilized life.
Section 3. Any native Indian of the Territory of Alaska who shall obtain a certificate in accordance with Section Two (2) of this act, which certificate shall set forth that a proper examination has been duly held and the applicant found to have abandoned all tribal customs and relationship, to have adopted the ways and habits of a civilized life and to be properly qualified to intelligently exercise the obligation of an elector in the Territory of Alaska, shall thereupon obtain an endorsement upon said certificate by at least five white citizens of the United States who have been permanent residents of Alaska for at least one year, who were not members of the examining board as provided in Section 2. to the effect that such citizens have been personally acquainted with the life and habits of such Indian for a period of at least one year and that in their best judgment such Indian has abandoned all tribal customs and relationship, has adopted the ways and habits of a civilized life, and is duly qualified to exercise the rights, privileges and oblibations of citizenship.
Application to District Court
Section 4. Upon securing such certificate as provided by sections two (2) and three (3) of this act properly signed in ink, the applicant shall forward the same together with an oath duly acknowledged to the effect that such applicant forever renounces all trible customs and relationships, to the United States District Court for the Division in which the applicant resides praying for the granting of a certificate or citizenship.
Hearing
Section 5. Upon receiving such application the Judge of the District Court shall set a day of hearing on such application which shall not be less than sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of such application, whereupon the Clerk of the District Court shall post a notice in his office containing the name of the applicant and the facts set forth in his application, and the date set for the hearing upon the application, and shall immediately forward a copy of such notice to the applicant, whereupon the applicant shall post such notice or a copy thereof in a conspicuous place at the Post Office nearest to his or her residence.
Final Certificate.
Section 6. Upon approval of such application by the Judge of the United States District Court for the Division in which the applicant resides, the said Judge shall issue a certificate, certifying that due proof has been made to him that the said applicant is "an Indian born with the Territorial limits of the United States, and that he has voluntarily taken up, within limits, his residence separate and apart from any tribe of Indians therein, and has adopted the habits of civilized life." Said certificate, when presented in court or otherwise, shall be taken and considered as prima facie evidence of the truth of the statement therein contained.
Approved, April 27, 1915
Scanned copy of original document
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60450845/AnAct.pdf
Applicants for Citizenship re: Chapter 24
http://haidagwaiihistory.blogspot.ca/2013/01/chapter-24-application.html
See also:
Native Indians born in Canada, re: Jay Treaty (PDF)
