Dear Tribes and Tribal Members,
In July, I had the honor of participating in a virtual consultation with the White House, where I had the opportunity to advocate for Executive Order 14112. This Executive Order is crucial as it would facilitate easier access to funding opportunities for Tribes, helping us to better serve our communities and address our needs. During this consultation, we discussed improving access to funding allocated for Alaska Tribes for important issues such as Health, Housing, Public Safety and more. We emphasized the importance of tribal sovereignty and the need for funding agencies to recognize that tribally designated and led consortia are authorized to access federal dollars of behalf of Tribes.
Additionally, I had the privilege of visiting the village of Koyukuk to meet with their Tribal Leadership and community members. During this visit, we presented on various topics requested by the Tribe and listened to community comments and questions. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the community of Koyukuk for their warm hospitality and for providing us with the opportunity to learn more about their needs and concerns.
Last month also saw me traveling to Ruby to attend the memorial potlatch for our late Traditional Chief Don Honea Sr. It was a solemn and moving experience, and I am grateful that I could join the community in remembering and honoring a great leader who contributed immensely to our region. Chief Honea’s leadership and guidance are greatly missed.
The potlatch also honored the life of the late Esther McCarty, whom I had the honor of serving with during my time on the Doyon Board. I always appreciated Esther’s strong insights, passion for serving, and love for her people. No matter the circumstances, Esther always made a point to remind us of our culture and traditions, urging us to stay grounded in them and remember who we are as Native people. She was a true leader who is deeply missed. I would like to thank the community of Ruby for allowing me to be part of this important event and to pay my respects.
Before the potlatch in Ruby, I attended the Gwich’in Gathering in Circle where I made the welcome address. There, I also had the opportunity to provide a few comments on the importance of protecting our ways of life and addressing the ongoing salmon decline. TCC has been actively involved in efforts to combat this issue. At the beginning of the gathering, we participated in a prayer over the fish and rivers, connecting with the land in a meaningful way. It was a wonderful way to start the gathering and emphasize our shared commitment to the environment.
As we move into August, I want to acknowledge the fact that our salmon returns are once again not where we want them to be. I understand that these numbers are devastating as this is usually the time spent putting away fish for our families. However, please rest assured that TCC is continuing to do everything within our power to implement change and protect our salmon for future generations. My hope is that one day we will see salmon once again flourishing in our rivers – allowing us to practice our traditions and feed our families.
Thank you all for your continued support and dedication to our communities. Together, we will navigate these challenges and work towards a better tomorrow for all our people.
Mahsi’ Choo,
Chief Brian Ridley