Dear Tribes and Tribal
Members,
I hope this letter finds you well and that you had a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. The holiday season is a special time that allows us to take a break, slow down, and appreciate the moments that truly matter in our lives.
As we step into the New Year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you. May 2024 bring you prosperity, good health, and continued strength in preserving our unique way of life.
Here at Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), we have hit the ground running in preparation for the 2024 TCC Annual Convention and Full Board of Directors Meeting, scheduled to take place from March 11 to 14 in Fairbanks. It is an event that holds great significance for our community, providing us with an opportunity to come together, share ideas, and shape the path forward for our Tribes.
Our team is diligently working on assembling an agenda that reflects the priorities of our Tribes. We are reaching out to speakers and organizing presentations that will contribute to the collective dialogue. As the event approaches, we will be sharing more information and details, so please stay tuned for updates.
Looking back on the past year, TCC has been actively engaged on the front lines in the fight to protect our salmon. This is a cause that resonates deeply with our communities, and as we enter the New Year, our commitment to safeguarding this vital resource remains unwavering.
In 2024, there will be numerous opportunities for all of you to provide testimony and make your voices heard. Important meetings, including the North Pacific Fishery Management Meetings, Board of Fish and others, will serve as platforms for us to share our stories and advocate for the protection of our way of life. Your participation and dedication to these efforts is crucial, and I look forward to seeing you all there. We will be sure to release more information about these meetings as dates become available.
At the request of our Tribes, TCC will be hosting a Behavioral Health Summit in February to discuss mental health and substance use issues within our region and explore proactive measures to provide support. This summit aims to bring together experts, community leaders, and stakeholders to engage in meaningful conversations about the challenges our community faces and to collectively develop strategies for improvement. More detailed information about this meeting will be made available at a later date. We look forward to your participation in this crucial dialogue on enhancing behavioral health within our community.
In closing, let us approach this New Year with renewed vigor, unity, and determination. Together, we can continue to build a future that honors our traditions and preserves the rich heritage of our Tribes. I am grateful for the strength and resilience of our community, and I am confident that by working together, we can overcome any challenges that come our way.
Mahsi’ Choo,
Brian Ridley
Chief/Chairman