The Act of May 25, 1926, (44 Stat. 629; 43 U.S.C. 733-736) provides for the townsite survey and disposition of public lands set apart or reserved for the benefit of Indian or Eskimo occupants in trustee townsites in Alaska and for the survey and disposal of the lands occupied as native towns or villages. The Act of February 26, 1948 (62 Stat. 35; 43 U.S.C. 737), provides for the issuance of an unrestricted deed to any competent native for a tract of land claimed and occupied by him within any such trustee townsite.

(a) Administration of Indian possessions in trustee towns. As to Indian possessions in trustee townsites in Alaska established under authority of section 11 of the Act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat. 1009; 43 U.S.C. 732), and for which the townsite trustee has closed his accounts and been discharged as trustee, and as to such possessions in other trustee townsites in Alaska, such person as may be designated by the Secretary of the Interior will perform all necessary acts and administer the necessary trusts in connection with the Act of May 25, 1926.

(b) Administration of native towns. The trustee for any and all native towns in Alaska which may be established and surveyed under authority of section 3 of the said Act of May 25, 1926 (44 Stat. 630; 43 U.S.C. 735), will take such action as may be necessary to accomplish the objects sought to be accomplished by that section.

A native Indian or Eskimo of Alaska who occupies and claims a tract of land in a trustee townsite and who desires to obtain a restricted deed for such tract should file application therefor on a form approved by the Director, with the townsite trustee.

In connection with the entry of lands as a native town or village under section 3 of the said Act of May 25, 1926, no payment need be made as purchase money or as fees, and the publication and proof which are ordinarily required in connection with trustee townsites will not be required.

Native towns which are occupied partly by white lot occupants will be surveyed and disposed of under the provisions of both the Act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat. 1095, 1099), and the Act of May 25, 1926 (44 Stat. 629).

The townsite trustee will note a proper reference to the Act of May 25, 1926, on each deed which is issued under authority of that act and each such deed shall provide that the title conveyed is inalienable except upon approval of the Secretary of the Interior or his authorized representative, and that the issuance of the restricted deed does not subject the tract to taxation, to levy and sale in satisfaction of the debts, contracts or liabilities of the transferee, or to any claims of adverse occupancy or law of prescription; also, if the established streets and alleys of the townsite have been extended upon and across the tract, that there is reserved to the townsite the area covered by such streets and alleys as extended. The deed shall further provide that the approval by the Secretary of the Interior or his authorized representative of a sale by the Indian or Eskimo transferee shall vest in the purchaser a complete and unrestricted title from the date of such approval.

When a native possessing a restricted deed for land in a trustee townsite issued under authority of the Act of May 25, 1926 (44 Stat. 629; 43 U.S.C. 733-736), desires to sell the land, he should execute a deed on a form approved by the Director, prepared for the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, or his authorized representative, and send it to the townsite trustee in Alaska. The townsite trustee will forward the deed to the Area Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs who will determine whether it should be approved. Where the deed is approved it shall be returned by the Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, through the townsite trustee to the vendor. In the event the Area Director determines that the deed shall not be approved, he shall so inform the native possessing the restricted deed, who shall have a right of appeal from such finding or decision to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs within sixty days from the date of notification of such finding or decision. The appeal shall be filed with the Area Director. Should the Commissioner uphold the decision of the Area Director, he shall notify the applicant of such action, informing him of his right of appeal to the Secretary of the Interior.

Any Alaska native who claims and occupies a tract of land in a trustee townsite and is the owner of land under a restricted deed issued under the Act of May 25, 1926 (44 Stat. 629; 43 U.S.C. 732-737) may file an application for an unrestricted deed pursuant to the Act of February 26, 1948 (62 Stat. 35; 43 U.S.C. 732-737), with the townsite trustee. The application must be in writing and must contain a description of the land claimed and information regarding the competency of the applicant. It must also contain evidence substantiating the claim and occupancy of the applicant, except when the applicant has been issued a restricted deed for the land. A duplicate copy of the application must be submitted by the applicant to the Area Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

(a) Upon a determination by the Bureau of Indian Affairs that the applicant is competent to manage his own affairs, and in the absence of any conflict or other valid objection, the townsite trustee will issue an unrestricted deed to the applicant. Thereafter all restrictions as to sale, encumbrance, or taxation of the land applied for shall be removed, but the said land shall not be liable to the satisfaction of any debt, except obligations owed to the Federal Government, contracted prior to the issuance of such deed. Any adverse action under this section by the townsite trustee shall be subject to appeal to the Board of Land Appeals, Office of the Secretary, in accordance with part 4 of 43 CFR Subtitle A.

(b) In the event the Area Director determines that the applicant is not competent to manage his own affairs, he shall so inform the applicant, and such applicant shall have a right of appeal from such finding or decision to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, within 60 days from the date of notification of such finding or decision. The appeal shall be filed with the Area Director. Should the Commissioner uphold the decision of the Area Director, he shall notify the applicant of such action, informing him of his right of appeal to the Secretary of the Interior.

(c) Except as provided in this section, the townsite trustee shall not issue other than restricted deeds to Indian or other Alaska natives.