2023: A Year in Review

February 2023

In February, Alaska Native Subsistence Users throughout the State walked out of the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) Meeting after the Board failed their statutory obligation to prioritize subsistence harvest by voting not to adopt Proposal 140. “The Board’s actions this week will not deter TCC or our Tribes from continuing to do everything we can to ensure the protection of our salmon and our way of life,” said Chief Ridley. Read more here.

March 2023

On March 16th, the TCC Full Board of Directors elected Brian Ridley to serve as Chief Chairman of Tanana Chiefs Conference after he served for one year as Interim President. “I just want to thank all of you,” said Chief Ridley, “It’s really humbling to be in this position.” Chief/Chairman Ridley will serve in this position through 2026. Find the 2023 TCC election results here.

Quannah Chasinghorse – long known for her activism, and more recently known as one of the world’s most famous supermodels – delivered the keynote address at 2023’s TCC Annual Convention and Full Board of Directors Meeting. She called for Indigenous people to occupy spaces with pride, even in the presence of fear. “We are our ancestors’ wildest dream,” she shared, “Don’t be afraid to occupy these spaces. This is our land.” Watch Quannah’s keynote address here.

April 2023

The AVCP and TCC filed a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in U.S. District Court in Alaska. The lawsuit alleges that when NMFS recently adopted groundfish catch limits for 2023-2024, the agency unlawfully relied on outdated environmental studies and failed to consider monumental ecosystem-wide changes that have occurred in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands ecosystems over the last two decades. Read more about the lawsuit here.

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) hosted listening sessions where Alaska Natives/American Indians could share their stories surrounding the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). The input received during these sessions will be utilized to develop a Tribal Community Response Plan, which will serve as a roadmap on the best way to respond to MMIP cases in the future.

May 2023

In May, TCC expanded Housing First, our innovative supportive housing program that provides housing to those in need regardless of a person’s substance use problems. The expansion increased the number of living facilities from 39 rooms to 76! Read more about the expansion here.

On May 23rd, TCC hosted its first ever Food Security Summit. The goal of the summit was to work towards identifying and improving access to healthy foods in rural Alaska. The summit included panels on traditional ways of gathering and land stewardship as well as informational sessions on raising ducks and quail; birch tapping and syrups; hydroponic and container gardening; cooking traditional foods, and a demonstration of pickling salmon. Read more about this event here.

July 2023

TCC’s Annual Partners’ Boat Trip brought together TCC Leadership with representatives from the Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Native Helath Consortium, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as legislators and commissioners from the State. This team traveled between Shageluk, Grayling, Anvik and Holy Cross to bridge the gap between decision-making processes and the realities faced in rural communities. Read more about the trip here.

September 2023

In September, the TCC region mourned the loss of respected elder, Alaska Native advocate, and TCC’s first President, Alfred “Al” Ketzler Sr. of Nenana. “Al Ketzler’s advocacy efforts laid the foundation and established the principles of integrity, determination, and humility—values that form the essence of TCC’s present-day mission, vision, and advocacy endeavors,” expressed Chief/Chairman of TCC, Brian Ridley. Read more about Al Ketzler Sr’s life and impact here.

TCC received $35 million to install affordable high-speed broadband in three communities: Venetie, Chalkyitsik and Circle. USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad shared that access to broadband is one of President Biden’s main priorities: “We’re making sure that people in rural communities across Alaska have access to high-speed internet so they can connect with their loved ones and tap into economic opportunities. Read more about this award here.

November 2023

In November, TCC hosted a Special Full Board of Directors Meeting in Fairbanks. The agenda included updates on TCC’s Patient Travel & Housing Improvement Plan, the pros & cons of a fish hatchery, a presentation on food sovereignty and traditional foods, and a panel on substance use treatment programs and services available. The board voted unanimously to allow TCC to purchase a hotel to alleviate some of the patient housing crisis. Read more about this event here.

Chief Brian Ridley was elected to serve as the Alaska Area Vice-President for NCAI alongside Tlingit & Haida Vice President Clinton Cook who was elected as alternate. In their new roles, they will serve a two-year term on NCAI’s Executive Committee, which is charged with advancing the mission of NCAI to protect and advance tribal sovereignty by representing the issues and priorities of tribal nations throughout the country. Read more about this event here.