In rural Alaska, a promise unfulfilled
Government contractors,
Alaska natives
MULTIMEDIA | Three Alaska natives speak on camera about their views of the federal contracting program intended to benefit them. View graphic »
Robert O'Harrow Jr. answered readers' questions about the series. Read the discussion here.
![[]](http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/09/27/PH2010092703683.jpg)
Photographer Nikki Kahn spent four weeks on location in rural Alaska, documenting this story in images.
See her photos. »
A close look at Eyak Corporation.
Explore one company's rebirth. »
PART ONE | A program to aid some of America's poorest citizens has largely benefited nonnatives in the lower 48 states.
Read More »
PART TWO | An Alaska native company and a major Washington contractor together cashed in on $1 billion for small businesses.
PART THREE | An ANC business run out of a living room subcontracted the majority of work to more established companies.
PART FOUR | Cashing in on government programs intended to help small, disadvantaged and minority entrepreneurs.
Continuing coverage
Dec. 9 | A half-dozen federal agencies are looking into alleged abuses.
Nov. 19 | Authorities say they have evidence that two firms worked with a large company to "defraud the Government."
Nov. 17 | Sen. Claire McCaskill pushes to close contracting loopholes in ANC program.
Oct. 19 | Prominent federal contractor GTSI Corp. removes CEO, general counsel in deal to end federal work suspension.
Oct. 7 | A proposed Senate bill would end special contracting privileges to Alaska native corporations.
Oct. 1 | The Northern Virginia company allegedly went through other firms to gain access to contracts set aside for small companies.
Resources
Search for Alaska native businesses: A searchable, sortable list of companies in SBA programs that are owned by Alaska native corporations.
Many warnings ignored: A timeline of past warnings about abuses by Alaska native corporations.
How the Beltway benefits: One Bethesda contractor made millions working with a native corporation.
Scholarships, community aid: The benefits some Alaska natives have reaped from their corporations' revenue.
Push for reform: A small group of ANC executives have decided that the system must change.
PBS 'Need to Know' investigates: Watch PBS's coverage of this investigation, including developments after the series first broke.
Documents
SNC Telecommunications: A nonnative consultant was paid one-third of an Alaska native company's profits.
ANC association defends program: One contractors association says it benefits both taxpayers and Alaska natives.
Request for reform: Three corporations push for reforms to the program giving them access to billions in federal contracts.
Small businesses' advantage: E-mails suggest that GTSI, a defense contractor, used a small business to get access to a contract.
About this project
After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Pentagon and other agencies awarded thousands of contracts without competition and proper oversight. In that rush, billions went to entities known as Alaska native corporations. Then the problems began.
