In May, Chief/Chairman Brian Ridley, Vice-President Sharon Hildebrand and TCC staff joined the Defend the Brooks Range Coalition’s recent “fly in” to Washington, DC. The trip is part of the ongoing advocacy efforts to oppose the construction of the Ambler Road. The Coalition is headed by the National Parks Conservation Association, and other partners include tribal members from Ambler, Kobuk …
On May 23rd 2023, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) leadership gathered at Effie Kokrine Charter School with tribal communities and local stakeholders in TCC’s first ever Food Security Summit, which resulted from the request of TCC’s Full Board of Directors per resolution 2022-11. The goal of the summit is to work towards identifying and improving access to healthy foods in rural …
When Sheena Tanner last appeared in this newsletter, in January of 2020, she was an itinerant health aide. Today she is back, only this time she is a CHAP Trainer, helping others pursue their dreams of medical careers. Her employment history with Tanana Chiefs perfectly illustrates that you can start out with no experience in the health field and, with …
On July 10th at 12:00pm AKST, we are asking everyone to show up along any body of water and join us by praying, dancing, and singing. We are hoping to honor our salmon by having all body of waters hear our prayers. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Erhart, or Janessa Newman. Share Your Photo With Us!
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 …
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 …
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 …
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) recently initiated its Emergency Response Team to respond to the flooding happening in several Interior villages including Circle, Eagle, and Gwichyaa Zhee (Fort Yukon). TCC’s internal Emergency Response Team is comprised of TCC employees throughout the organization who work together to ensure that Tribes have support available when natural disasters occur in their community. “TCC has …
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 …
For the last few years, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) has been reviewing its membership with the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). While TCC respects and appreciates all the work that AFN has done over the years, it is important that TCC align itself with partners that help further our priorities and share our same voice. TCC Tribal leaders have made …