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As part of a long-term study of the utilization of Alaska Native manpower, new data is combined with that of a similar 1975 study to estimate the Alaska Native and non-Native civilian population and work force for 1978 and 1980. Contrary to 1975 predictions the population ratio of Alaska non-Natives to Natives remains constant at 82%/18%. The estimated 1978 Alaska Native population is 68,931, of which 42% is under 16. The Alaska Native Work Force (28% of the Native population) is increasing annually by 1.5%. There are growing numbers of Native women workers. Approximately 7% to 10% of the Native Work Force is concentrated temporarily in urban and rural population centers and is available to respond to recruitment efforts for statewide short-term employment through 1980. Data suggests that without the start of full scale field construction on the trans-Alaska gas line before 1980, the Native Work Force cannot possibly exceed 13% of the Statewide Work Force in the forseeable future. It is important to focus on how many Alaska Natives can realistically be included in the Statewide Work Force and to realize that Native manpower utilization differs from that of the dominant society. Recommendations of the 1975 study are repeated. (SB)

Numbering approximately 62,005 and representing 15.3% of the total Alaska population in 1975, Alaska Natives are a finite and predominately rural subpopulation. However, a significant portion of the Alaska Native Work Force (estimated at 13,854) now resides in the major urban areas and is available to the Statewide Work Force. Statistics from May, 1975, reflect an Alaska Native Work Force employment rate of 70.9%. About 10% of this employment is related to internal Native affairs; an unknown percentage, to rural and seasonal labor; and the remainder, to non-Native endeavors such as the Alaska pipeline. Study results support the opinion that throughout the decade the Alaska Native population will sustain a minimum of 20% to 25% of its total numbers in the Alaska Native Work Force. In the light of fast-changing Alaskan socio-economic conditions, it is crucial to face the realities of available Alaska Native labor and the implications on the Alaska Native social structure and culture of losing manpower to the Statewide Work Force. There is need for identification of the socio-economic impact of pipeline employment on Alaska Natives, manpower needs of Native associations, and rural Alaska Native manpower utilization patterns. (SB)