Ana Hoffman

First Ever BEST Elder Benefit $300 Each!

BEST will also issue its first ever Elders Benefit this year. On June 30, 2023, shareholder beneficiaries approved an amendment to BEST authorizing an optional BEST Elders Benefit program. As a result, the BEST Board of Trustees has approved a special distribution of $300 per eligible elder to be payable on December 7, 2023.  Combined with the $4.47 per share distribution by BEST, eligible elders with 100 shares in BNC will receive a total of $747.00 from BEST this year.  Eligible elders are those BNC shareholders who are sixty five years or older as of December 1, 2023.

Any elder desiring to opt out of the elder benefit program over concerns that the payment may impact their eligibility for state or federal assistance, may contact Ana Hoffman, BNC President & CEO.  For more information please call 907-543-2124 or email bethel@bncak.com.

Elkartaa is a Yup’ik word meaning: to settle in place.

On December 7, 2023, Bethel Elkartaa Settlement Trust (BEST) distributions in the amount of $4.47 per share will be made to shareholder beneficiaries.  This results in an average payment of $447 for shareholder beneficiaries with 100 shares in Bethel Native Corporation (“BNC”). The BNC Board of Directors determines an annual cash contribution to BEST, which funds this payment, based on BNC’s five year average net income.  Distributions from BEST will be tax free to the shareholder beneficiaries.

BEST will also issue its first ever Elders Benefit this year. On June 30, 2023, shareholder beneficiaries approved an amendment to BEST authorizing an optional BEST Elders Benefit program. As a result, the BEST Board of Trustees has approved a special distribution of $300 per eligible elder to be payable on December 7, 2023.  Combined with the $4.47 per share distribution by BEST, eligible elders with 100 shares in BNC will receive a total of $747.00 from BEST this year.  Eligible elders are those BNC shareholders who are sixty five years or older as of December 1, 2023.

With the majority of shareholders residing in and around Bethel, these annual distributions have a significant impact on the local economy.  This December an aggregate amount of nearly $1 million is set to be distributed by BEST. Since 1987, annual payments have consistently been made, reaching approximate $15 million in total distributions to date.

For fifty years, Bethel Native Corporation has remained proudly headquartered in Bethel.  Any elder desiring to opt out of the elder benefit program over concerns that the payment may impact their eligibility for state or federal assistance, may contact Ana Hoffman, BNC President & CEO.  For more information please call 907-543-2124 or email bethel@bncak.com.

Elkartaa is a Yup’ik word meaning: to settle in place.

In April 2023, the BEST trustees presented proposed amendments to the beneficiaries to consider establishing an Elders Benefits option. An Elder is defined as a shareholder beneficiary age 65 or older and the benefits can be cash distributions or other benefits determined by the trustees in their discretion.  BEST amendments require a beneficiary vote of fifty percent plus one to be in favor of the proposal in order to be adopted.  By the June 30th deadline, 57% of the outstanding beneficiary votes were cast.  The results are as follows: 51% in favor and only 6% opposed.  The BEST Elder Benefit Amendments have been adopted.

Quyana for voting!

Congratulations Bethel Native Corporation Final Proxy Prize Winners!

This final proxy prize deadline was Friday, May 5, 2023 at 5 pm.

The final proxy prize winners also randomly selected by the Inspectors of Election:

$1000 Prize –

• Frank Gregory, III; Bethel, AK
• Paul Chief; Bethel, AK
• Dorine Kay Sumstad, Tualatin, OR
• Jack Martin Kinegak, Bethel, AK

$  500 Prize –

• Karen E Thompson, Bethel, AK
• Jana C Ashepak; Bethel, AK
• Elizabeth Japhet; Bethel, AK
• Mary M Gregory; Anchorage, AK

$  100 Prize

• Simon Peter Herman; Anchorage, AK
• Ida Jane Kernak; Anchorage, AK
• Paula Rose Handricks; Soldotna, AK
• Jean Helmick; Bethel, AK
• Gage W Hoffman; Bethel, AK
• Valerie Tiffany Agnes Napoka; Tuluksak, AK
• Nastasia Olga Silook; Anchorage, AK
• Kirsten Mary Kinegak-Friday; Anchorage, AK
• Rose Ann Henderson; Bethel, AK
• Leslie Westdahl; St Mary’s, AK

The names of these winners were randomly selected by the Inspectors of Election.  In total $20,000 in proxy prize money has been awarded in relation to the 2023 annual meeting.

Quyana!

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the Inspectors of Election announced there was a quorum present at the Bethel Native Corporation annual meeting of shareholders with 77,402.9122 shares represented in person or by proxy.  A total of 157,032.8993 outstanding shares were entitled to vote.

The election inspectors announced the Board of Director election results as follows:

Alton Alexie received 48,054.5378 votes

A. Louise Charles received 41,062.6840 votes

Mary Kenick received 34,780.4639 votes

Monique Henriksen received 16,341.2340 votes

Robert J Hoffman received 59,545.5950 votes

Kirsten M Kinegak-Friday received 30,597.5051 votes

Congratulations to the following persons elected to serve a three year term: Robert J Hoffman, Alton Alexie and A. Louise Charles.

The BEST Board of Trustees extended the deadline to submit the BEST ballot amendment to provide the option for an Elders Benefit to June 30, 2023.

Quyana to all six candidates for your interest! Quyana shareholders for submitting your proxy!

Congratulations Bethel Native Corporation Second Early Bird Proxy Prize Winners!

$1,000 Prize –

• Olga K. Roland; Bethel, AK
• Hugh Augustus Snyder; Bethel, AK
• Lana Ann Bray; Chugiak, AK
• Kimberly D Jung; Wasilla, AK

$   500 Prize –

• Christopher Herman; Bethel, AK
• Andrew Kawagley; Akiachak, AK
• Albert James Tikiun; Berea, OH
• Glenn Anvil; Wasilla, AK
• Elena Haroldson; Bethel, AK

The final proxy prize deadline is Friday, May 5, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

There are $20,000 in proxy cash prizes to be awarded! Shareholders are eligible to win one prize from each category, please submit your proxy before the next deadline!

All proxy prize winners are randomly drawn by the Inspectors of Election, Mikunda Cottrell Accounting & Consulting.  Shareholders who submitted their proxy by 5 pm on April 21 qualified for the first early bird drawing.  Cash prizes payments will be processed only after quorum for the annual meeting is declared.

The BNC annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023.

Contact BNC at 907-543-2124 if you have any questions.

Congratulations Bethel Native Corporation Early Bird Proxy Prize Winners!

$1,000 Prize –

• Joann Brenda Paul; Atmautluak, AK
• James Alexie; Eek, AK
• Gertrude E Green; Bethel, AK
• Courtney James Geerdts; Bethel, AK

$   500 Prize –

• James Segundo Hoffman; Anchorage, AK
• Cara Brianne Cecelia Thompson; Bethel, AK
• Carol Rodgers Witt; Empire, CO
• Margie H Frost; Togiak, AK
• John Andrew, III; Albuquerue, NM

The second early bird deadline is Friday, April 28 at 5:00 p.m.

The final proxy prize deadline is Friday, May 5, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

There are $20,000 in proxy cash prizes to be awarded! Shareholders are eligible to win one prize from each category, please submit your proxy before the next deadline!

All proxy prize winners are randomly drawn by the Inspectors of Election, Mikunda Cottrell Accounting & Consulting.  Shareholders who submitted their proxy by 5 pm on April 21 qualified for the first early bird drawing.  Cash prizes payments will be processed only after quorum for the annual meeting is declared.

The BNC annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023.

Contact BNC at 907-543-2124 if you have any questions.