Boat Trip Connects Tribal Leaders and Key Representatives

In order to understand rural Alaska – you have to experience it. In July, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) provided the opportunity for key representatives and leaders from various organizations to experience village life first-hand through a boat tour of the Lower Yukon Subregion. TCC’s Annual Partner’s Boat Trip aims to bridge the gap between those involved in Alaska’s decision-making process …

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MMIP Tribal Working Group Continues Efforts to Establish Response Plan

Recently, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) kicked off meetings and listening sessions to work toward the development of a Tribal Community Response Plan, which will serve as a roadmap on the best way to respond to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases in the future. A tribal working group …

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Improving TCC’s Patient Travel and Housing Experience

Over the past year, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has heard many concerns from our patients regarding the patient travel and housing process. We wanted to share some information on what we have been doing to improve these experiences. Closing the Willow House Recently, TCC made the decision to close the Willow House, our patient hotel. This decision was not taken …

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Art Invoking Action – Homeless Memorial Shelf Housed at TCC Facility

Fairbanks’ first annual Homeless Persons Memorial, hosted in collaboration between local non-profits, Bread Line, Inc., the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC), and Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), honored the lives of Alaska’s overlooked population – unhoused individuals. Taking place at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall on winter solstice, the event also unveiled a thought-provoking piece of functional art created …

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TCC Advocacy Leads to Big Win for Village Grid Resiliency

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently provided an update on the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants authorized under Section 40101(d) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that would allow more Tribes access to these funds. Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has been advocating for DOE to administer the 40101d program in a way that recognizes the sovereign rights of tribes …

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TCC Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision in Haaland v. Brackeen Case

This morning, the US Supreme Court made a decision in the Haaland v. Brackeen case, affirming that the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is constitutional. The 7-2 vote by the Justices protects tribal sovereignty and resolves the growing challenges to child custody issues and traditional values of Native Tribes. “The protection of indigenous children is a top priority for Tanana …

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Revitalizing the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (YRITFC) held a quorum for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The YRITFC is comprised of 28 villages along the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers who work together to develop recommendations for fishery management, and to develop positions on other relevant fisheries issues for the upcoming season and in the fall post-season. This …

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Emerging Leader Spotlight: Millena Jordan

Millena Jordan has learned many valuable lessons throughout her journey as an Emerging Leader and has created a solid foundation for herself. She joined the Emerging Leaders in 2018, and at 23 years old, she has been empowering and equipping youth for the past five years. She is the daughter of Charlie Nations Jordan Sr. and Desiree Andon, and is …

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Congratulations Session IV CHAP Program Graduates!

Last month, Susan Dayton from Koyukuk and John Dyer from Manley graduated the Community Health Aide Program’s (CHAP) Session IV training. Session IV is the second-to-last training that Health Aides must pass before becoming a fully licensed Community Health Aide Practitioner. Each module requires months of study and clinical trainings. TCC is proud of our newest Session IV graduates and …

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A Bright Future for Hughes, Solar Power for the Interior

The village of Hughes was able to run its grid on strictly solar power for a five-hour span of time last month. On Tuesday, April 18th, from 2:30 PM to 7:50 PM the town of Hughes was silent. The ever present rumbling of the diesel generators that provide light and power to the community was absent and no exhaust was …

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