Resolution 2021-13: Replacing derogatory names to the original indigenous name

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, The original inhabitants of this area are the Dene’ people; and

WHEREAS, Before contact with western civilization, the indigenous people of our territory had native names for all the areas that they utilized; and

WHEREAS, After contact the United States governments and the State of Alaska gave certain names to places that are derogatory and offensive to our people; and

WHEREAS, The Tanana River has a place above the Native Village of Tanana that is called “Squaw Crossing” which defined is an ethnic and sexual slur historically used for Indigenous North American women and similar place names exist across the region.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tanana Chiefs Conference Full Board of Directors directs staff to create a record of tribal requests to change the place names to their original indigenous names, prioritizing those that are derogatory.

Submitted by: Tanana Tribal Council