Alaskan tribes launch Web site

In an effort to keep the public informed about negotiations between the

state government and its 227 federally recognized tribes, Alaska has a

launched a new Web site.

A joint committee known as the State-Tribal Relations Team is working

to establish a formal relationship between the state and the tribes, said

Chrystal Smith, special assistant to the state's attorney general.

She said the Web site is an effort to keep the public and the 60 or

so members of the task force informed about the government-to-government

discussions aimed at developing a new relationship between Alaska's tribal

governments and the state.

"We're trying to set some parameters state agencies need to know when

dealing with tribes," Smith said about the negotiations. She added that

the site is also an educational tool for residents to learn more about the

tribes.

The Web site contains press releases, minutes of meetings, lists of

attendees, remarks and speeches by Gov. Tony Knowles and committee leaders,

names and contact information for representatives serving on the committee,

history and information about the federal recognition of tribes and their

relation to the state, and links to other relevant organizations.

Smith said the governments hoped to have protocols worked out by December.