AFN Convention 2005
Southeast Alaska Dancer, Quyana Alaska
Alaska Marketplace 2006
Michelle (Macuar), Amy and Cika Sparck
AFN Convention 2005
Interior Alaska Dancers, Quyana Alaska
Leadership Forum 2006
Hernando de Soto from Peru via live streaming video
Kuskokwim River, north of Bethel
Thomas Cikigaq Dyment, Evan Qirnaq Dyment and Elizabeth Mikaq Lindley
AFN Convention 2005
Stanton Katchatag (deceased), Dan Karmun, Ethel Karmun
Alaska Marketplace 2006
John Kingeekuk and Hogarth Kingeekuk Jr.
AFN Convention 2005
Athabaskan Dancers, Quyana Alaska
AFN Convention 2006
Carol Daniel, Alissa Grohall & Mike Irwin
AFN Convention 2005
Inupiaq Dancers, Quyana Alaska
Alaska Marketplace 2006
Cherissa Wieland
AFN Convention 2006
Aleut Dancer, Quyana Alaska
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The Alaska Federation of Natives, with our many members, has long worked to further self-determination of our people. We know that there are many aspects of self-determination: education, health, and strong economies as well as developing our governance capabilities. We are citizens of the State of Alaska, and of the United States. We also have a special trust relationship with the federal government, along with other Native Americans, which has both responsibilities and benefits. In 1971 Congress settled our land claims settlement, and for years our leadership has been involved in implementing that massive and complex settlement with its new form of organization – the Native corporation.
Our federally recognized tribes and regional tribal consortiums design and operate federal and state programs and make a tremendous difference in the well-being of our people on a day to day basis. We run our own health care system. We are active in education, housing, and community development. We have large and small Native institutions, which break new ground every year with their hard work and continual innovation. Over the last 30+ years we have seen a renaissance of our culture from one end of Alaska to the other. Our arts, our dance, our music, our sports, our values, and our very decision-making continue to be driven by our vibrant cultures. I like to remind people that our land-based cultures pre-date the pyramids, and we are among the few Native Americans who were never moved off our homeland. Our people are awesome!
Of course we also have our problems. A recent 30-year trend analysis AFN commissioned shows the huge socio-economic progress, but also the continuing thread of disparity in many areas, which disenfranchises many of our people and narrows their options and choices in life. AFN has dedicated itself to a ten-year plan to close the disparity gap and many of our initiatives are a direct result of this commitment.
We have much work to do in 2008 and many exciting events and initiatives planned. We hope you will join us.
Warm regards,
Julie Kitka, President
Tax deductible donations can be made to AFN through the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Fund.
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