Resolution 2021-10: State support for transporting the deceased to their final resting place

WHEREAS, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is an Alaska Native tribal health and social services consortium established by the Interior Alaska tribes and tribal communities, to provide a unified voice in advancing sovereign tribal governments through the promotion of physical and mental wellness, education, socioeconomic development and culture of the Interior Alaska Native; and

WHEREAS, Currently when the State of Alaska takes a deceased tribal member out of the village to the medical examiner, the State’s support for the return of the deceased to the village is limited to the cost of freight of the body; and

WHEREAS, Families are responsible to pay the difference even though it is State law that requires the body to be taking to the examiner, and the difference is often thousands of dollars because sending a loved one via freight without a casket is usually not appropriate to those in grief and mourning; and

WHEREAS, In addition if someone makes over a certain amount a month, the State of Alaska denies burial assistance.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tanana Chiefs Conference Full Board of Directors direct staff to advocate for the State of Alaska to modify the burial assistance monthly income limit and increase the State’s obligations to support for transporting the deceased to their final resting place.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Tanana Chiefs Conference Full Board of Directors advocate and encourage the BIA to increase the amount of burial assistance for tribal governments.

Submitted by: Arctic Village Council