Respect for Elders is one of our core Athabascan values—and on July 21, that value was brought to life during the first-ever Elders Day of Caring, a community-wide day of service coordinated by Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) with support from partner organizations.
More than 90 volunteers signed up to help Alaska Native Elders in the Fairbanks area with a wide range of home projects, including yardwork, painting, safety improvements, and general maintenance. Out of 46 Elder applications received, 20 projects were selected for the event. Thanks to the incredible dedication and generosity of the volunteers, all 20 projects were completed, and several volunteers even went above and beyond by assisting with additional homes whose projects had not initially been selected.
Partner organizations that made the day possible included Denakkanaaga, the Interior Regional Housing Authority, Doyon, Limited, Fairbanks Native Association, the Council of Laborers Unions, and Jolly Roger, Inc. Additional support came from organizations like Key Bank, GVEA, and other community members.
“It is part of our culture to take care of our Elders,” said Chief Brian Ridley. “I’m grateful to everyone who showed up and gave their time, energy, and heart. It means so much to see our community come together like this in the spirit of service.”
With the success of the event, TCC and its partners plan to bring Elders Day of Caring to Interior villages in the future—ensuring Elders across the region feel supported, respected, and cared for.
“This was just the beginning,” said Chief Ridley. “We look forward to continuing this work in our rural communities.”
