By Linden Stackiokas You might not think of being a health aide as the a family business, but it is for Jordyn James of Dot Lake. Her grandmother, Hazel, and her mother, Sera, were both health aides, so from her earliest years, Jordyn became familiar with the meanings of many medical terms. She also witnessed both the privileges and the …
Interior Alaska made a significant mark at the 3rd Annual White House Tribal Nations Summit, hosted by the Biden administration, which emphasized the region’s commitment to advancing Tribal interests on the national stage. Chief Nancy James of Gwichyaa Zhee contributed to the discussions by participating in a panel titled ‘Protecting Tribal Homelands in the Era of Climate Change.’ Her insights …
On October 25th of this year, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) assumed management of Gateway to Recovery, formerly operated under Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) as FNA Detox. In order to ensure that the detox program remains accessible for those who need it, TCC expanded operating hours for the inpatient withdrawal management program and it is now accessible 24 hours a day, …
On November 10th, Tribal leaders gathered in Bethel to provide testimony to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), led by Vice-Chair Senator Lisa Murkowski. The field hearing was called in short order and is titled, “The Impact of the Historic Salmon Declines on the Health and Well-Being of Alaska Native Communities along Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers.” “The Tribes …
On November 2nd, Tribal Leaders and community members spoke out against the Ambler Road Project and urged a no action alternative during the Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) public meeting in Fairbanks. BLM is hosting a series of public meetings to seek input on the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the Ambler Road project proposed by the Alaska …
It is with heavy hearts that we at Tanana Chiefs Conference mourn the passing of First Chief Wilmer Beetus of Hughes. Chief Beetus was an exceptional leader and a tireless advocate for his community and the region. He not only served as First Chief but he also served on the local school board, the village corporation and other economic development …
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) released earlier today reinforces the Tanana Chiefs Conference’s (TCC) opposition to the proposed Ambler industrial mining road. The 37 Tribes of Interior Alaska have lived on and with the lands being threatened by the proposed industrial mining road for millennia. Our ancestors recognized in forming TCC that …
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; …
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 …
Each year Tanana Chiefs Conference publishes an annual calendar featuring photos from throughout our region submitted by Tribal Members! Do you have an amazing photo that you would like to contribute to next year’s calendar? Send it to us! Photos can be submitted using our form: https://www.tananachiefs.org/2024-tcc-calendar-submissions/ The deadline to submit your photos is October 13th at 5pm. We can’t …