In December, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) leaders, including Chief Brian Ridley, Vice President Sharon Hildebrand, Director of Tribal Client Services Amber Vaska, and Health Director Jacoline Bergstrom, met with Alaskan lawmakers ahead of the 2025 legislative session to discuss critical issues impacting the region. Topics included education, appointments to the Board of Fish and Board of Game, Behavioral Health and Medicaid reimbursements, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and Cody’s Law, which addresses police response to crisis interventions.
TCC values its ongoing collaboration with policymakers and remains optimistic that this administration will address the concerns raised. A special thanks to Representatives Mike Prax, Maxine Dibert, Will Stapp, and Frank Tomaszewski, as well as Senators Mike Cronk and Scott Kawasaki, for attending and taking the perspectives of Indigenous communities into account when making decisions that impact us all.