Council Newsletter
Posts specifically from or for the Council Newsletter
October Emerging Leader Spotlight: Kristen Law
Tribal governing runs in Emerging Leader Kristen Law-Sunnyboy’s family. At the age of 21, Kristen has watched her parents and grandparents work for their Tribes since childhood. Kristen is from Nenana and has two brothers, one of whom acted in the role of Emerging Leader before her. Kristen’s mother, Christina Sunnyboy, is a past Chairman of Toghotthele Corporation. Her grandparents …
October CHA Spotlight – Tori Stein
By Linden Stackiokas Interested in a career where you help others? Want a job where you never quite know what will happen that day? Need a lot of flexibility because of family responsibilities? Tori Stein wanted all these things and found them when she became a TCC health aide. Tori was born in Fairbanks but was raised in Ruby, a …
October Chief’s Report
Dear Tribes and Tribal Members, I hope this letter finds you well, and that you and your families had a successful hunting season. As the leaves change colors and the air grows colder, I trust that you were able to gather what you needed before the long winter ahead. In August, I had the privilege of meeting with U.S. Attorney …
TCC Awarded $35 Million Grant to Bring Broadband to Rural Alaskan Villages
This week, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) was awarded a $35 million grant to install affordable, reliable high-speed broadband in three underserved TCC communities. The 100% fiber-based network will be installed in the villages of Venetie, Chalkyitsik and Circle. The project is part of the Alaska FiberOptic Project, which is a larger collaboration between Calista Corporation; Doyon, Limited; Gana-A ‘Yoo Limited; …
Revered Elder and First President of Tanana Chiefs Conference Al Ketzler Sr. Passes Away at Age 90
It is with deep sadness that Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) announces the passing of respected Elder, Alaska Native advocate and TCC’s first President, Alfred “Al” Ketzler Sr. of Nenana. Al Ketzler Sr. served as President of TCC several times throughout his lifetime; 1962 to 1964, 1968 to 1972 and again from 1976 to 1978. He was an unwavering advocate and …
CHA Spotlight – Heather Kangas, Ruby Health Aide
If only high school teachers who feel discouraged about how much they really impact students could meet people like Heather Kangas, the health aide in Ruby. Her path to becoming a first responder to her community began with her high school teacher encouraging her to take a college level anatomy and physiology class. Learning about the miracles of how the …
Foster Youth Gathering
By Niisha Walsh On July 26th-27th, young people from all regions of Alaska who are in Tribal or State custody came together for the first Youth Gathering hosted by Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Tribal Social Services. Youth ages 10 and older had the opportunity to learn new skills and make new connections during the day-and-a-half event. Guest speaker, Johon Echo …
Wearing Orange is a Call to Action: A Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has long stood in solidarity with United States and Canadian boarding school survivors in acknowledging September 30th as a Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2023, we remain firmly supportive of honoring the lost children who suffered and disappeared in boarding schools in both countries. Each year we invite you to wear orange on September 30th …
Balancing Today for Safe Communities Tomorrow: 39th Annual Tribal Court Conference
Tanana Chiefs Conference and the University of Alaska Fairbanks successfully co-hosted the 39th Annual Tribal Court Conference from August 1st to 4th, 2023. The conference planning committee also included tribal partners from Alaska Native Justice Center and Alaska Native Women Resource Center. The conference, centered on the theme ‘Balance Today for Safe Communities Tomorrow: How can our tribal justice systems …