Rachel Reilly

Alaska State Legislature Approves Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform

The Alaska Legislature has endorsed pivotal legislation aimed at regulating and reforming Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) permitted to operate within the state. The bill is currently awaiting transmittal to Governor Dunleavy and his signature before becoming law. This important measure marks a critical step in addressing prescription drug affordability, pharmacy access, and reimbursement transparency, particularly benefiting rural Alaskans. House Bill …

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TCC Partners with 168th Air Refueling Wing To Bring Food To Elders

May 29th marked the eighth round of shelf-stable food boxes put together by the Elder Nutrition Program and the 168th Air Refueling Wing of Eielson AFB. These shelf-stable food boxes were sent out to 343 Elders in fourteen villages within the TCC region. The boxes are designed to give Elders nutritional meals and snacks in areas where no cook or …

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The Hidden Dangers of Fentanyl Overdose: A Call to Action

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and heroin, making even small amounts potentially deadly. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, equal to 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. This potency has led to a significant rise in overdose deaths, especially as fentanyl is often unknowingly mixed into other …

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July Letter from the Chief

Dear Tribes and Tribal Members, I hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying the summer, spending quality time with your families, and staying safe. Last month, we held our quarterly Executive Board of Directors Meeting here in Fairbanks. During the meeting, the board approved a new $50,000 annual donation to Denakkanaaga, Inc. This donation is in …

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Protecting Our Salmon for Future Generations

In June, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) leadership traveled to Galena to meet with the Louden Tribe to discuss the urgent need for salmon conservation on the Yukon River. The meeting, spearheaded by Chief Charlie Green of Louden, brought together representatives from the Alaska State Troopers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to address the critical state of Yukon River …

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Introducing Diloola Erickson, TCC’s New Tribal Resource Stewardship Division Director

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is excited to welcome Diloola Erickson as our new Tribal Resource Stewardship Division (TRSD) Director! Diloola spent most of her childhood on Tlingit Aani (‘our land’ in Tlingit) in the village of Hoonah, and recalls spending a lot of time on the beach, in the woods, and learning the Tlingit language and culture in school. In …

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TCC Awarded A+ for Strong Financial Profile

Fitch Ratings, America’s leading credit analysis company, has issued Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) an A+ Issuer Default Rating (IDR) for the fiscal year 2024. Although TCC has received an A+ IDR for the past several years, this year’s Rating Outlook has been upgraded from “Stable” to “Positive,” a reflection of TCC’s strong financial profile. The bond-financed expansion of Chief Andrew …

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Adventures in Seed Starting

By Heidi Rader, Professor of Extension at the University of Alaska Faibanks Embarrassingly, given my job title, I’m terrible at starting seeds indoors. I blame it partially on my travel schedule and not being able to give the little seedlings the love and attention they deserve. It could also be because I have not been willing to buy the proper …

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Minto School Students Reign Victorious in Vocabulary Bowl for Second Consecutive Year

Minto School students have once again emerged victorious in the Statewide Vocabulary Bowl, showcasing their academic excellence for the second consecutive semester. Mastering an impressive 1,400 vocabulary words, these dedicated learners have outperformed schools across Alaska in the nationwide competition organized by vocabulary.com. Located approximately 50 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Minto School boasts a modest student body, primarily comprised of …

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Tribal Resource Stewardship Corner: Climate – Climate – Climate

By Betty Ross, Tribal Client Services Deputy Director Life is cyclical, weather is cyclical, and some things never change…then there is change. Since the 1970s, discussions on the climate appeared in the news and in politics. In 1988, Dr. James Hansen, Columbia University’s Climate Scientist, testified in a Senate hearing on the greenhouse effect. Since then, there are interrelated crises …

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