In response to Bigbee: no, you are not reading the story correctly. A 40 year relationship with two people sharing a home is a marriage whether or not it was ever legally recognized. Unfortunately when a person dies intestate (without a will) probate law gives the property to relatives and not the spouse if they were not "legally" married. 

Many Native elders, and also a lot of non-Natives, have not made legal wills that will protect their loved ones when they die. Both Natives and non-Natives may co-habit for many years without getting a "license" to do so.

The law in question here is not tribal law; it is the law of the State of Alaska which has been imposed on the community. 200 years ago this community would not have been dealing with wills or probate; they would have followed their own customs for taking care of widowed elders. The Tribe in this case is doing the modern equivalent by providing Ms. Wheeler with a decent home. 

Note: everyone needs to have an updated will!