Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) was formed in 1972 as the regional Alaska Native Corporation for 6,333 original shareholders under authority of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The Bering Straits region encompasses the majority of Alaska's Seward Peninsula and the coastal lands of eastern Norton Sound. BSNC owns and manages nearly two million acres of subsurface estate of land selected by 17 village corporations in the region. This region is one of the most culturally diverse areas in the state with three Native languages spoken: Siberian Yup'ik, Central Yup'ik and Inupiaq. BSNC is headquartered in Nome, Alaska. Regional operations include real estate management and development, tourism, construction, mining services and sales of rock and aggregate. BSNC also has offices in Anchorage, which oversee the company's government contract work under the SBA's 8(a), HubZone and small business programs. Anchorage operations also include construction and various support services for commercial clients and shareholder services.