A Milestone Nearly 40 Years in the Making: 1987-2023 Shareholder Land Conveyances Complete
(Spring 2026 Newsletter Article)
Honoring History: Nikolai 14(c)1 Land Reconveyances Complete
(Spring 2025 Newsletter Article)
About MTNT Lands
MTNT, Ltd., was formed in 1976 to represent the four Alaskan villages of McGrath, Takotna, Nikolai, and Telida, three of which are on the Iditarod Trail. Our people, primarily of Athabascan descent, are located in the Kuskokwim River Basin. Our villages own a total of 299,520 acres of surface estate land located along the upper reaches of the Kuskokwim River in Interior Alaska. The protection of lands owned by MTNT, Ltd. not only ensures that land-based traditions and values are safeguarded for future generations, but our continued stewardship also guarantees that vital shareholder resources are preserved.
MTNT Management Services, LLC (MMS) oversees all aspects of MTNT, Ltd.’s surface entitlement; managing activities that include mining, fire management, timber and hunting.
Shareholder Land Distribution Program
Current Status & Frequently Asked Questions
MTNT recently completed the conveyance of all previously approved surveyed lots under the Shareholder Land Distribution Program and prior Homesite Program dating back to 1987.
This milestone concludes a decades-long administrative effort to finalize historic land selections and ensure that previously approved parcels have now been formally conveyed and
recorded.
The program is not closed. MTNT is currently reviewing the Shareholder Land Distribution Program and will provide additional guidance to Shareholders as that work continues.
The information below answers common questions about the program and its current status.
Table of Contents
Click a section below to jump to that topic.
- Program Status
- Eligibility
- Land Entitlement
- Parcel Types
- Costs
- Land Ownership
- Land Selection
- Additional Questions
- Key Terms
- Contact Information
Program Status
1. What is the Shareholder Land Distribution Program (SLDP)?
The Shareholder Land Distribution Program allows eligible MTNT Shareholders to receive ownership of certain MTNT lands through a formal application, survey, and deed process.
2. Is the Shareholder Land Distribution Program currently open?
The program is not closed, but new applications are currently on hold while MTNT reviews the program following completion of historic conveyances.
MTNT recently finalized all previously approved surveyed lots under the SLDP and prior Homesite Program dating back to 1987. Additional guidance will be shared with Shareholders
once that review is complete.
3. Why were applications paused?
MTNT recently completed a comprehensive review of historic land records and finalized all previously approved surveyed lots that had remained outstanding under the program. This
effort resolved decades of pending land selections and established a clean administrative baseline moving forward.
4. When will the program reopen?
The timing of any future reopening has not yet been determined. MTNT is currently reviewing the program structure, available lands, and administrative procedures to determine the best
path forward.
Updates will be shared through the MTNT website, newsletters, and annual meetings.
Eligibility
5. Who may be eligible to receive land?
Eligibility historically depended on the history of the shares associated with a Shareholder’s stock.
Original Shareholders who had not previously received land could apply. If shares were gifted or inherited, eligibility depended on whether the original Shareholder had already received land based on those shares.
Future eligibility requirements will be confirmed when the program review is complete.
6. If I have never received land, will I still be eligible?
Possibly. Shareholders who have not previously received land under the program may remain eligible depending on the rules in place when the program moves forward.
7. What are “landed” and “unlanded” shares?
Landed shares are shares that have already been used to obtain land under the program.
Unlanded shares are shares that have not yet been used to obtain land.
Shareholders who are unsure about the status of their shares may contact MTNT for assistance.
Land Entitlement
8. How much land can a Shareholder receive?
Under the previous program framework:
- 20 shares = 1 acre
- 100 shares = up to 5 acres
Shareholders with more than 100 shares could receive additional acreage based on the same ratio.
Future program rules may be reviewed or updated.
9. What if I own fewer than 20 shares?
Historically, Shareholders with fewer than 20 shares could pool their shares with other Shareholders to reach the minimum requirement needed to select land.
Parcel Types
10. What types of parcels could be selected?
Historically, the program allowed two types of parcels:
- Unrestricted parcels based on share entitlement
- ANILCA homesite parcels of up to 1.5 acres
ANILCA homesites include certain federal protections and restrictions related to residential use.
11. What is an ANILCA homesite?
An ANILCA homesite is a parcel no larger than 1.5 acres that may receive certain federal protections, including restrictions on commercial use and subdivision for a period of time.
In some cases, a Shareholder could receive both an ANILCA homesite parcel and an additional unrestricted parcel to satisfy their total land entitlement.
Costs
12. Are there costs associated with receiving land?
Yes. Historically, Shareholders were responsible for costs associated with obtaining land, including:
- Application fees
- Survey costs
- Platting and recording fees
Costs vary depending on the location and remoteness of the parcel.
Land Ownership
13. Will I own the land if I receive it?
Yes. Land is conveyed to Shareholders through a quitclaim deed, which transfers ownership of the surface estate.
14. Do Shareholders own the subsurface estate?
No. Shareholders receive ownership of the surface estate only. The subsurface estate remains with the regional corporation.
15. Can I sell my land once I receive it?
Yes. However, MTNT historically retains a right of first refusal if a Shareholder offers the parcel for sale or transfer outside of inheritance.
16. Will there be taxes on the land?
Currently there are no property taxes on most MTNT lands.
However, taxes could apply in the future if a borough or municipality establishes taxation authority.
Land Selection
17. Where can land be selected?
Historically, most MTNT lands were available for selection except certain exclusion areas, such as airport safety zones, municipal reconveyance areas, and certain mining areas.
Specific lands available for selection will be determined once MTNT completes its program review.
Additional Questions
18. How many land conveyances were recently completed?
Through the recent land records review, MTNT finalized 21 previously approved surveyed lots that had remained outstanding under the Shareholder Land Distribution Program and prior Homesite Program.
19. How long does it take to receive a deed?
Historically, the process from application to receiving a deed could take approximately one to three years, depending on surveys, approvals, and recording requirements.
20. How can I find out whether my shares have already been used for land?
Shareholders who are unsure whether their shares are landed or unlanded are encouraged to contact MTNT. Staff can assist with reviewing historical land records and share ownership history.
21. How will Shareholders know when the program moves forward?
Updates will be shared through MTNT newsletters, the MTNT website, annual meetings, and direct communications with Shareholders.
Key Terms
Landed Shares
Shares that have already been used to obtain land under the program.
Unlanded Shares
Shares that have not yet been used to obtain land.
Surface Estate
Ownership of the land surface that is conveyed to the Shareholder.
Subsurface Estate
Mineral rights beneath the land surface that are generally owned by Doyon, Limited, the regional corporation.
ANILCA Homesite
A parcel of up to 1.5 acres that may receive certain federal protections under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). These homesites are restricted to residential use and may not be subdivided for a period of time.
Right of First Refusal
A provision allowing MTNT the opportunity to purchase a parcel if a Shareholder chooses to sell or transfer the land outside of inheritance.
Questions?
Shareholders who have questions about the Shareholder Land Distribution Program or the status of their shares are encouraged to contact MTNT.
Phone: (907) 644-1200
Email: info@mtnt.net
Note: The Shareholder Land Distribution Program may be updated or modified as MTNT completes its current program review and prepares for future phases of land distribution.
MTNT Lands Department
400 W. Tudor Rd., Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 644-1200
Additional maps are available through the Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Geological Survey websites. Hunters and anglers may contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for game management boundaries.
MTNT Villages
Located 221 miles northwest of Anchorage in Interior Alaska, McGrath was a seasonal Upper Kuskokwim Athabascan village used as a meeting and trading site for Big River, Nikolai, Telida and Lake Minchumina residents in the early 1900s …
Takotna is located in Interior Alaska on the north bank of the Takotna River in a broad scenic river valley, 17 air miles west of McGrath in the Kilbuck-Kuskokwim Mountains. It has been known as Berry Landing, Portage City …
Nikolai is an Upper Kuskokwim Athabascan village located in Interior Alaska on the south fork of the Kuskokwim River, 46 air miles east of McGrath. It has been relocated at least twice since the 1880s. One of the former sites was reported …
Telida is located on the south side of the Swift Fork (McKinley Fork) of the Kuskokwim River, about 50 miles northeast of Medfra, Alaska. Athabascan Indian folklore indicates Telida’s descendants were from two sisters, survivors …