On June 21st-24th, Tanana Chiefs Conference hosted a partner’s boat trip, visiting the villages of Ruby, Galena, Koyukuk, Nulato and Kaltag. TCC invited representatives from several different entities to experience rural Alaska, meet tribes and develop an understanding for priorities our region faces.
“TCC has been hosting these boat trips for the last several years – which originally started with us bringing the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to visit villages to hear about the impacts of the salmon decline in our tribal communities,” explains Chief/Chairman Brian Ridley, “After seeing the success of these trips and the impact that seeing and hearing about these issues first-hand can have – we have since expanded it to include more entities.”
This year’s trip included a wide array of representatives from various entities including – the Alaska State Troopers, BIA Tribal Justice Support, Office of Children’s Services, For health focus, Rasmuson Foundation, AK Mental Health Trust Authority, and State of Alaska behavioral health, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, GCI and Doyon Foundation. Additionally, we had representatives from Governor Dunleavy’s office and Senator Sullivan’s Office as well as Senator Click Bishop and Representative Mike Cronk.
Trips like these provide the opportunity for important decision-makers to see, experience and most importantly understand the issues that are effecting our tribal communities. It also connects our tribal leaders with people who can really make an impact on the overall wellness of their community.
TCC hopes to continue these annual trips and continue to build relationships between these organizations and our tribal leaders.
